The Maldives has made a significant step in public health by becoming the world’s first country to implement a generational smoking ban. This groundbreaking legislation, which took effect on Saturday, prohibits anyone born after January 1, 2007, from smoking, buying, or selling tobacco. The Maldivian Ministry of Health heralded this initiative as a “historic milestone” in the nation’s ongoing fight to promote a tobacco-free generation.
According to the World Health Organization, smoking is responsible for over seven million deaths annually worldwide. Presently, a national survey conducted in 2021 revealed that more than a quarter of adults in the Maldives, aged 15 to 69, were tobacco users, with the rate nearly doubling among adolescents aged 13 to 15. This alarming statistic highlights the need for such proactive measures to mitigate tobacco usage.
In comparison, the United States saw roughly 20% of adults using tobacco in 2022, while about 12% of adults in the United Kingdom reported to be smokers in 2023. Similar generational bans have been contemplated in other countries. For instance, New Zealand was close to enacting a comparable law in 2022, which would have restricted tobacco sales to individuals born after January 1, 2009. However, the legislation faced setbacks and was ultimately rolled back.
In the UK, proposals to implement a similar generational smoking ban have also seen obstacles. A recent bill is progressing through Parliament, suggesting a ban on tobacco for anyone born after January 1, 2009, along with tighter regulations on tobacco and vaping product sales. Recently, health leaders in Britain expressed urgent concern, stating that delays in the legislative process allowed over 120,000 young adults to start smoking in just six months.
The Maldives’ generational smoking ban is part of a more extensive strategy aimed at curbing tobacco usage in the nation, which has included a ban on the importation and sale of electronic cigarettes since late 2024. The government is actively fostering a healthier environment through initiatives such as the establishment of anti-smoking clinics to support individuals in quitting tobacco.
In an encouraging move, the president of the Maldives recently proposed cash rewards for residents of any island that achieves a total ban on smoking. This multifaceted approach underlines the country’s commitment to eradicating tobacco use and fostering healthier lifestyles among its population, paving the way for a brighter, smoke-free future.