Getty ImagesThe Maldives has banned smoking tobacco for young people born on or after 1 January 2007, becoming the only country in the world to enforce a nationwide tobacco ban for generations.
The archipelago's health ministry announced on Saturday that it would be illegal for younger generations to use, buy or sell tobacco within the country.
The ban “reflects the government's strong commitment to protecting young people from the harms of tobacco”, the ministry said.
Ahmed Afaal, deputy chairman of the archipelago's tobacco control council, told BBC World Service's News Hour that the country's blanket ban on vaping last year was “a good step towards a generation of tobacco-free citizens.”
The new ban “applies to all types of tobacco products and retailers are required to verify age before sale,” the health ministry said, adding that it is in line with Maldives' obligations under the World Health Organization's Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.
According to the UN health body, the convention “provides a global response to a global problem, namely the tobacco epidemic.”
Mr Afaal said cracking down on vaping in the country was an important first step because “these stylish new gadgets are an industry tactic to entice the younger generation to embrace addictive processes that are definitely detrimental to their health.”
Last year, the Maldives banned the import, sale, possession, use or distribution of e-cigarettes and vaping products, regardless of age.
Tourists coming to visit the Maldives will also have to comply with the law, but Mr Afaal says the smoking ban will not have a detrimental effect on tourism.
“People don't come to the Maldives because they can smoke. They come for the beaches, for the sea, for the sun and fresh air,” he added.
Citing tourism data, Mr Afaal said that despite the new rules, there had been no tourist cancellations and arrivals had increased over the past year.
“We predict more than 2 million. [tourists] next year,” he said.
New Zealand's plans to introduce a generational smoking ban were scrapped in 2023 after a new government took office.
The move was seen as a blow to many health experts And In particular the Maori peoplewhich have one of the highest rates of smoking.
Last year, then-UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak hoped to introduce legislation that would ban smoking for young people born in 2009 or later.
New version legislationThe current Government's draft legislation has passed through the House of Commons and is now at committee stage in the House of Lords, approaching the final step before it receives Royal Assent.
