The Maldives has become the first country in the world to introduce a nationwide generational ban on tobacco use, prohibiting anyone born on or after 1st of January 2007, from smoking, buying, or selling tobacco products.

Announcing the decision, the Maldivian Health Ministry said the move demonstrates the government’s strong commitment to protecting young people from the harms of tobacco. The ministry added that the law applies to all forms of tobacco and requires retailers to verify customers’ ages before completing sales.

Ahmed Afaal, vice chair of the Maldives Tobacco Control Board, told the BBC that the new law follows last year’s ban on vaping and is “a major step toward creating a tobacco-free generation.” He noted that the country’s vaping ban had already been successful in curbing youth exposure to nicotine products, which he described as “industry tactics to addict younger generations.”

The ministry confirmed that the new policy aligns with the World Health Organization’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, which promotes global cooperation to address the tobacco epidemic.

Tourists visiting the Maldives will also have to comply with the law, though officials say it is unlikely to affect tourism. “People don’t come to the Maldives to smoke — they come for the beaches, the sea, the sun, and the fresh air,” Afaal said, adding that tourist arrivals have continued to rise despite stricter tobacco regulations.

The Maldives’ policy follows global discussions on generational smoking bans. New Zealand’s similar plan was scrapped in 2023 after a change in government, while the United Kingdom’s proposed law banning smoking for those born on or after 2009 is progressing through Parliament.