This aerial picture taken on November 15, 2023, shows people walking along a beach in Vilimalé Island. FILE PHOTO/Agence France-Presse
MALÉ, Maldives — The Maldives will attempt to stamp out smoking across the South Asian luxury tourist archipelago this year with a ban making it illegal for anyone currently under 19 to ever buy cigarettes.
A proposed law will prohibit the sale of tobacco products to individuals born after a January 2007 cut-off date, effectively phasing out smoking for future generations.
Article continues after this advertisement
“The new legislation is set to come into force on November 1, 2025,” President Mohamed Muizzu’s office said in a statement issued after a cabinet meeting on Sunday.
FEATURED STORIES
GLOBALNATION
3 suspects in Que kidnap-slay under police custody
GLOBALNATION
Chinese suspect in Que kidnap - slay linked to 5 other abductions - PNP
GLOBALNATION
Four centuries later, Easter Sunday's date remains divisive
READ: Maldives gets IMF debt warning as more Chinese loans loom
The penalties for breaching the new law were not immediately announced but officials said they were working to amend existing tobacco control laws to bring them in line with the new legislation.
A similar law proposed in Britain is still in the legislative process, while New Zealand — the first country to enact a generational law against smoking — repealed it in November 2023, less than a year after it was introduced.
READ: DFA: Maldives to assist in repatriation of drowned Filipino couple
The Maldives raised the legal age for smoking from 18 to 21 in November and banned the importation of e-cigarettes and vaping devices, a policy that also applies to tourists.
Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.
READ NEXT
Helicopter company that ran deadly New York tour shuts down
World leaders slam deadly Russian strike on Ukraine
EDITORS' PICK
Scenes of sacrifice: Devotees relive Christ’s suffering in Paete
On Black Saturday, group says Duterte arrest ‘only the beginning’
How to avoid cramps while swimming
LIVE UPDATES: Remembering Nora Aunor, Superstar and National Artist
25 areas veer toward `danger zone’ based on Pagasa heat index
DepEd partnering with DSWD to combat bullying, boost child development
MOST READ
Plane passenger shoots, kills US hijacker on Belize flight
Jericho Rosales confirms he’s Janine Gutierrez’s BF at Pilita Corrales’ wake
On Black Saturday, group says Duterte arrest ‘only the beginning’
DOTr SAICT stops Leyte-bound ‘colorum’ van in QC for overloading
newsinfo
Scenes of sacrifice: Devotees relive Christ’s suffering in Paete
newsinfo
On Black Saturday, group says Duterte arrest ‘only the beginning’
newsinfo
How to avoid cramps while swimming
www
LIVE UPDATES: Remembering Nora Aunor, Superstar and National Artist
newsinfo
25 areas veer toward `danger zone’ based on Pagasa heat index
newsinfo
DepEd partnering with DSWD to combat bullying, boost child development
globalnation
Plane passenger shoots, kills US hijacker on Belize flight
entertainment
Jericho Rosales confirms he’s Janine Gutierrez’s BF at Pilita Corrales’ wake
newsinfo
On Black Saturday, group says Duterte arrest ‘only the beginning’
newsinfo
DOTr SAICT stops Leyte-bound ‘colorum’ van in QC for overloading
www
NMC: Google Maps tag of West Philippine Sea reflects growing acceptance
newsinfo
DepEd says school year 2025-2026 will start June 16
TAGS: Maldives, Smoking
Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.
