The Maldives has become the world’s first country to enforce a generational tobacco ban, prohibiting the sale, purchase, and use of tobacco for anyone born on or after January 1, 2007.
Ratified on November 1, 2025, the amendment to the Tobacco Control Act aims to create a tobacco-free generation, with retailers now required to verify customer age before sales.
The law covers all tobacco products, and builds on the Maldives’ existing ban on e-cigarettes and vaping, which remain illegal for all age groups.
The Ministry of Health stated that the measure underscores the government’s commitment to protecting youth from tobacco-related harm and advancing national health goals, in line with the World Health Organisation’s tobacco control framework.
