President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has approved a landmark decision to implement a generational tobacco ban in the Maldives, prohibiting the sale, purchase, and use of tobacco products for individuals born on or after January 1, 2007.
The decision was made during a Cabinet meeting held on Sunday, following a proposal submitted by the Ministry of Health. The Cabinet has directed enforcement agencies to begin amending existing laws and regulations to support the implementation of the ban.
According to the Cabinet’s resolution, enforcement authorities will be given a six-month period to revise relevant regulations after the law is amended and ratified. The new legislation is scheduled to come into effect on November 1, 2025.
In addition to the legislative component, the Ministry of Finance and Planning has been instructed to collaborate with the Ministry of Health to expand access to tobacco cessation services nationwide.
President Muizzu had previously launched a public poll on his official X (formerly Twitter) account to gather public input on the age threshold for the generational tobacco ban—marking the first time a Maldivian president utilized social media to crowdsource opinions on a key policy matter.
He has also publicly appealed to tobacco vendors, urging them to consider transitioning to alternative business ventures as the country moves toward phasing out tobacco use among future generations.
The generational tobacco ban is part of the government’s broader public health agenda aimed at reducing smoking-related illnesses and promoting healthier lifestyles in the Maldives.
The decision was made during a Cabinet meeting held on Sunday, following a proposal submitted by the Ministry of Health. The Cabinet has directed enforcement agencies to begin amending existing laws and regulations to support the implementation of the ban.
According to the Cabinet’s resolution, enforcement authorities will be given a six-month period to revise relevant regulations after the law is amended and ratified. The new legislation is scheduled to come into effect on November 1, 2025.
In addition to the legislative component, the Ministry of Finance and Planning has been instructed to collaborate with the Ministry of Health to expand access to tobacco cessation services nationwide.
President Muizzu had previously launched a public poll on his official X (formerly Twitter) account to gather public input on the age threshold for the generational tobacco ban—marking the first time a Maldivian president utilized social media to crowdsource opinions on a key policy matter.
He has also publicly appealed to tobacco vendors, urging them to consider transitioning to alternative business ventures as the country moves toward phasing out tobacco use among future generations.
The generational tobacco ban is part of the government’s broader public health agenda aimed at reducing smoking-related illnesses and promoting healthier lifestyles in the Maldives.
