Maldives’ Generational Tobacco Ban Goes Into Effect

The Maldives has become the first country in the world to implement a generational tobacco ban, meaning that people born after a certain date will no longer be able to purchase, sell, or use tobacco products, including vaping products.

As of today, anyone born after Jan. 1, 2007 will be prohibited from purchasing tobacco products.

“Today we take a historic step towards a tobacco-free Maldives,” wrote First Lady Saajidhaa Mohamed in a post on X. “As a healthcare advocate, I applaud the Government’s leadership in launching the Generational Ban on Tobacco, a powerful investment in the well-being of generations to come. This is a bold, evidence-based step to break the cycle of addiction and prevent diseases. We are securing a healthier, stronger future for our youth. A proud moment for the Maldives!”

The prohibition also applies to visitors to the island, which is located southwest of the southern tip of India in the eastern Arabian Sea, and which is home to approximately 528,000 people.

A retailer found to be selling tobacco to a person born after Jan. 1, 2007 faces a fine of approximately $3,200.

Patrick Lagreid

I strive to capture the essence of a cigar and the people behind them in my work – every cigar you light up is the culmination of the work of countless people and often represents generations of struggle and stories. For me, it’s about so much more than the cigar – it’s about the story behind it, the experience of enjoying the work of artisans and the way that a good cigar can bring people together. In addition to my work with halfwheel, I’m the public address announcer for the Colorado Rockies and Arizona Diamondbacks during spring training, as well as for the Salt River Rafters of the Arizona Fall League, the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury and the G-League’s Valley Suns. I was previously the Arizona Rattlers of the Indoor Football League, and Goodyear Ballpark, spring training home of the Cincinnati Reds and Cleveland Guardians. I also work in a number of roles for Major League Baseball, plus I’m a voiceover artist. Prior to joining halfwheel, I covered the Phoenix and national cigar scene for Examiner.com, and was an editor for Cigar Snob magazine.

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