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A historical decison
The Maldives has made history by becoming the first country in the world to ban smoking for younger generations.
Starting from 1st November 2025, anyone born on or after 1st January 2007 can never legally buy, use, or sell tobacco products in their lifetime. The rule even applies to tourists visiting the country.
This new law aims to protect young people from tobacco’s harmful effects and help create a healthier future for everyone.
About the law
This new rule is part of the Second Amendment to the Tobacco Control Act, signed by President Mohamed Muizzu in May 2025.
It bans all types of tobacco, such as cigarettes, [[cigars::Rolled bundles of dried tobacco leaves that people smoke, usually larger and thicker than cigarettes.]], chewing tobacco, and smokeless tobacco. The Maldives had already banned [[vapes::Electronic devices that heat liquid to produce a vapor that people inhale instead of smoking tobacco.]] and e-cigarettes for all ages, making its tobacco control laws among the world’s strictest.
Now, shopkeepers must check a person’s birth date before selling tobacco. Only people born before 1st January 2007 can buy it.
If a shop sells tobacco to anyone younger, it can be fined up to 50,000 Maldivian rufiyaa (about $3,200). Individuals using banned devices like vapes can also be fined.
The law also applies to foreign visitors, which means even tourists born after 2007 cannot smoke or buy tobacco while in the Maldives.
A ban unlike any other in the world
This isn’t a normal age [[restriction::A rule or law that limits what people can do.]] like “no smoking before 18.” It’s a “generational ban”, meaning the rule stays forever for that age group. Anyone born after the set date will never be allowed to buy tobacco, even when they turn 30, 40, or older.
This ensures that a whole generation will grow up tobacco-free.
The Maldives is the first nation to make this work in practice, ahead of countries like New Zealand (which planned but cancelled such a law) and the United Kingdom (which is still debating it).
How will it help?
The new law is expected to save thousands of lives in the coming [[decades::Periods of ten years.]].
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), about 26.6% of adults in the Maldives use tobacco, and almost half of teenagers smoke or chew tobacco.
Smoking causes many serious diseases like lung cancer, heart disease, and breathing problems. It also reduces [[life expectancy::The average number of years a person is expected to live.]] by about 10 years.
Experts say this ban will make people healthier, reduce hospital costs, and inspire other countries to take similar steps, hopefully one day making the whole world tobacco-free.
Setting a big example
With this bold decision, the Maldives has proved that even a small island nation can make a big difference.
The generational ban marks a turning point in the global fight against tobacco, proving that lasting change begins with one determined step.
Protecting young people today builds a healthier tomorrow.
Quick revision
The Maldives is the first country to ban smoking for younger generations. Anyone born on or after 1st January 2007 can never buy or use tobacco in their lifetime.
The Second Amendment to the Tobacco Control Act bans all tobacco and vapes, with fines up to 50,000 Maldivian rufiyaa ($3,200) for breaking the rule.
The goal is to create a tobacco-free generation, make people healthier, reduce hospital costs, and inspire other countries to do the same.
