The World Health Organisation (WHO) has endorsed the Maldives’ new generational tobacco ban, calling it a “bold and crucial” step in the region’s fight against tobacco. The legislation, passed by Parliament on Tuesday, makes the Maldives the first country in the WHO South-East Asia Region to introduce a policy that permanently bans tobacco use for individuals born on or after 1 January 2007.
WHO praised the move on social media, describing it as a “landmark decision” that signals strong regional leadership towards a healthier future. The ban not only prohibits the sale and consumption of tobacco products for the affected age group but also builds on existing regulations introduced last year, which raised the legal purchasing age to 21.
Under the new law, individuals born from 2007 onwards will never be legally allowed to use tobacco. It also bars anyone from selling or distributing tobacco to them, and reinforces the prohibition of tobacco sales to anyone under 18.
The measure is designed to gradually eliminate tobacco use from society by cutting off access to future generations. It reflects a growing shift in public health policy away from regulating consumption to preventing initiation entirely.
The Maldives’ move positions it as a regional leader in tobacco control, at a time when other nations are exploring similar endgame strategies. The endorsement from WHO adds significant weight to the decision, signalling global recognition for the country’s commitment to long-term public health.
