The government is allegedly planning to raise the legal definition of youth from 18 to 21 years, a move that Abdulla Shahid, President of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), claims is deliberate and calculated.
Speaking at an MDP street rally last night, Shahid accused the government of assessing the influence of individuals aged 18 to 21 on issues such as tobacco use. He claimed that if this age group fails to voice their opinions on such matters, the government intends to use its parliamentary supermajority to raise the voting age to 21 years.
Shahid argued that the government does not consider 18-year-olds responsible enough to buy cigarettes, as they are currently prohibited from purchasing tobacco products. He alleged that this policy is part of a broader plan to justify redefining the age of consent to 21.
The government recently raised the legal age for buying and selling cigarettes to 21, stating that the change was aimed at reducing tobacco addiction among young people. While the initiative has been welcomed by public health advocates, the potential redefinition of youth and its implications for voting rights and other responsibilities have sparked public debate.
Speaking at an MDP street rally last night, Shahid accused the government of assessing the influence of individuals aged 18 to 21 on issues such as tobacco use. He claimed that if this age group fails to voice their opinions on such matters, the government intends to use its parliamentary supermajority to raise the voting age to 21 years.
Shahid argued that the government does not consider 18-year-olds responsible enough to buy cigarettes, as they are currently prohibited from purchasing tobacco products. He alleged that this policy is part of a broader plan to justify redefining the age of consent to 21.
The government recently raised the legal age for buying and selling cigarettes to 21, stating that the change was aimed at reducing tobacco addiction among young people. While the initiative has been welcomed by public health advocates, the potential redefinition of youth and its implications for voting rights and other responsibilities have sparked public debate.
