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MALDIVES (WJW) — An island nation has banned smoking and the use of other tobacco products for younger people in its country.
Starting Nov. 1, the Maldives put a prohibition on smoking for those born on or before January 2007 (essentially individuals who are 18 or below), making it the only country in the world with such a generational ban.
The Maldives’ president ratified the tobacco control amendment back in May, calling it “a landmark generational ban aimed at safeguarding public health and protecting future generations from the harmful effects of tobacco.” But it wasn’t until this month that the law officially changed.
The new provisions also ban anyone under the age of 21 from purchasing tobacco products and outright outlaw e-cigarettes and vaping products for people of all ages. All tobacco advertising is also banned.
The Asian country — an archipelago in the Indian Ocean — has made clear the ban applies to both residents and tourists, who make up a major part of its economy.
While a smoking crackdown may be challenging to enforce entirely, penalties have been announced: a $3,200 fine for selling tobacco products to an underage person and using a vape could cost a person $320 if caught.
The United Kingdom is also currently considering a similar kind of generational ban. A few years back, New Zealand was the first to initiate a generational smoking ban, but after only 9 months on the books, it was quickly repealed in 2023.