Lifetime Smoking Ban for Those Born After 2007
"Aimed at Cultivating a Tobacco-Free Generation"
The Maldives, an island nation in the Indian Ocean renowned as a resort destination, has implemented a strict anti-smoking law that bans smoking for life for specific generations.
According to AFP, the Maldivian Ministry of Health announced that, starting November 1 (local time), anyone born on or after January 1, 2007, will be prohibited from smoking or trading any form of tobacco within the Maldives for life. The Ministry stated that the purpose is "to protect public health and foster a tobacco-free generation."
This measure is part of legislation promoted by President Mohamed Muizzu since the beginning of this year, expanding the ban from already prohibited electronic cigarettes to include traditional tobacco products as well.
Selling tobacco to minors will result in a fine of about 50,000 rufiyaa (approximately 470,000 KRW), and this penalty applies equally to foreigners.
The Maldives is the first country to implement a law aimed at creating a non-smoking generation. Other countries are also pursuing similar legislation.
In the United Kingdom, a "smoke-free generation" bill is being discussed in Parliament, which would prohibit the sale of tobacco to anyone born on or after January 1, 2009.
New Zealand officially announced in 2022 that it would ban the sale of tobacco to those born after 2009, becoming the first country in the world to do so. However, the law was repealed in November the following year before it could take effect, in order to secure funding for the new conservative coalition government's tax cut policies.
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