<h5>A Historical Decision</h5><p>The Maldives has become the first country in the world to stop young people from smoking.</p><p>Starting from 1st November 2025, anyone born on or after 1st January 2007 can never buy, use, or sell tobacco in their whole life. This rule even includes tourists who visit the country.</p><p>The goal is to protect young people from the harmful effects of smoking and help build a healthy future for everyone.</p><h5>What the Law Says</h5><p>This rule is part of a new change to the Tobacco Control Act, signed by President Mohamed Muizzu in May 2025.</p><p>It bans all types of tobacco, like cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco, and smokeless tobacco. The Maldives had already banned vapes and e-cigarettes for everyone, no matter their age, making this law very strict.</p><p>Now, shopkeepers must check a person’s birth date before selling tobacco. Only people born before 1st January 2007 can buy it.</p><p>If a shop sells tobacco to someone younger, it can be fined up to 50,000 Maldivian rufiyaa (about $3,200). The same rule also applies to tourists born after 2007; they can’t smoke or buy tobacco in the Maldives.</p><h5>Why This Rule Is Special</h5><p>This is not like other rules that say “no smoking before 18.” It is called a “generational ban.”</p><p>That means anyone born after 2007 can never buy tobacco, even when they turn older. This will help an entire generation grow up without smoking.</p><p>The Maldives is the first country to make this kind of rule work. New Zealand had planned a similar rule but later cancelled it, while the United Kingdom is still discussing it.</p><h5>How It Helps People</h5><p>The new rule will save many lives in the future.</p><p>The World Health Organization (WHO) says that about 26.6% of adults in the Maldives use tobacco, and almost half of teenagers smoke or chew it.</p><p>Smoking causes dangerous diseases like lung cancer, heart disease, and breathing problems. It also makes people live around 10 years less than non-smokers.</p><p>Experts say this law will make people healthier, reduce hospital costs, and inspire other countries to do the same.</p><h5>A Small Country with a Big Idea</h5><p>With this strong decision, the Maldives has shown that even a small country can make a big change.</p><p>This new rule is an important step in the fight against tobacco. It shows that protecting young people today can help create a healthier world tomorrow.</p>

The Maldives has become the first country in the world to ban smoking for younger generations. From November 2025, anyone born on or after 1st January  2007 can never buy, sell, or consume tobacco.

Maldives Says 'No' to Tobacco

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