The administration will remain steadfast in its commitment to protecting the younger generation from the expanding dangers of tobacco, President Dr Mohamed Muizzu assured the public in a social media statement posted to mark World No Tobacco Day, a global initiative observed annually on 31 May.
The statement, which renewed the administration's resolve to rescue Maldivian society from the hazards of tobacco use, highlighted significant strides taken by the administration. The Maldives holds the distinct honour of being the first nation globally to begin enforcing a "generational ban" against tobacco, a sweeping initiative that included the prohibition of e-cigarettes.
"On #WorldNoTobaccoDay, we renew our commitment to protecting our people from the dangers of tobacco and nicotine addiction," President Muizzu wrote. "From banning e-cigarettes to becoming the first country in the world to implement a Generational Ban on Tobacco, we are taking decisive action to achieve this goal."
As new threats emerge, including flavoured nicotine pouches and AI-driven marketing tactics targeting young people, the administration will remain vigilant, President Muizzu stated. The state will strengthen tobacco control measures, cessation services, smoke-free jurisdictions, and legislative reforms, whilst establishing dedicated cessation clinics, formally designating no-smoking areas, and systematically amending laws to safeguard youth. A collaborative effort from all citizens is necessary to build a healthy, tobacco-free nation, he urged.
First Lady Sajidha Mohamed also posted to social media, urging the public to "reaffirm our shared responsibility to protect future generations from the harmful effects of tobacco and other products that continue to target young people." Noting that Maldivian youth "deserve the chance to be free from nicotine addiction," the first lady emphasised that whilst the nation has taken historic steps towards a tobacco-free future, awareness, education, and collective action remain essential.
"Together, we can create a healthier generation for an even brighter future for every Maldivian," First Lady Sajidha wrote.
Recent structural reforms implemented by the administration to combat this epidemic include increasing tobacco import duties and raising the minimum legal purchasing age from 18 to 21 years. Furthermore, new regulatory mandates dictate that tobacco products can only be imported and sold in the Maldives if they are accompanied by explicit health warnings detailing their level of danger. Bolstering these restrictions, a comprehensive generational ban took effect on 1 November of last year, explicitly prohibiting the use and sale of tobacco products to any children born after 2007.