THE GUARDIAN: Indian Ocean archipelago bans anyone born after 1 January 2007 from buying or using tobacco in order to ‘promote a tobacco-free generation’
The Maldives began implementing a smoking ban on anyone born after January 2007, becoming the only country with a generational prohibition on tobacco, according to its health ministry.
The move, which was initiated by the president, Mohamed Muizzu, earlier this year and came into effect on 1 November, will “protect public health and promote a tobacco-free generation”, the ministry said.
“Under the new provision, individuals born on or after 1 January 2007 are prohibited from purchasing, using, or being sold tobacco products within the Maldives,” it added.
“The ban applies to all forms of tobacco, and retailers are required to verify age prior to sale.”
The measure also applies to visitors to the nation of 1,191 tiny coral islets scattered some 800km (500 miles) across the equator and known for its luxury tourism. » | Agence France-Presse | Saturday, November 1 2025
Les Maldives deviennent le seul pays au monde à introduire une interdiction générationnelle de fumer : La vente de produits de tabac à un mineur est passible d’une amende de 50.000 rufiyaa (environ 2800 euros), tandis que l’utilisation d’appareils de vapotage est passible d’une amende de 5000 rufiyaa (280 euros). »
Wer nach 2006 geboren ist, darf auf den Malediven nicht mehr rauchen: Sommer, Sonne, Rauchverbot: Die Malediven verbieten allen, die nach 2006 geboren wurden, Tabakprodukte. Die Regelung bezieht sich auch auf E-Zigaretten. Und ja, sie gilt auch für Touristen. »
This generational smoking ban will cause more problems than it will ever solve! The first problem with it is this: Young people will find other ways to satisfy their desire to rebel, other ways to get their kicks. And those other ways might well be, nay probably will be, far more injurious to health than tobacco-smoking ever could be.
Keir Starmer has a similar bill working its way through Parliament. He, too, is going to have to learn the hard way that a generational smoking ban will solve NOTHING. He will surely find that such a ban will create far more problems than it will ever solve. We are being led by fools. And killjoys! If this bill successfully passes through Parliament in the UK, when Starmer is kicked out of office, the law will surely have to be repealed. — © Mark Alexander
