The country’s health ministry said a generation-long ban on tobacco came into effect in the Maldives on Saturday.
Maldives is now the only country in the world to impose such a ban.
This measure will apply to anyone born after January 2007. The policy received support from President Mohammad Muizzu earlier this year.
a statement from Ministry of Health Said the goal of the ban is to “protect public health and promote a tobacco-free generation.”
“Under the new provision, persons born on or after 1 January 2007 are prohibited from purchasing, using or selling tobacco products within the Maldives,” the statement said.
“The ban applies to all types of tobacco and requires retailers to verify age prior to sale,” it says.
Selling tobacco products to an underage person will result in a fine of 50,000 rufiyaa ($3,200).
Ban imposed on tourists
The Maldives is a South Asian nation of 1,191 small coral islands that extend about 800 kilometers (500 mi) from north to south, with the equator passing through its southern atoll.
This archipelago country is known for its luxury tourism.
Tourists will also be subject to broader restrictions, including the import, sale, distribution, possession and use of electronic cigarettes and vaping products.
The electronic cigarette and vapes ban applies to all persons regardless of age.
Using banned vape devices will attract a fine of 5,000 rufiyaa.
So far, New Zealand is the first and only country to enact such a law against smoking, but it was repealed in November 2023, less than a year after it came into force.
Edited by: Srinivas Majumdaru