Maldives hailed for imposing generational tobacco ban

The generational tobacco ban from the beginning of this month represents a bold and forward-looking move by the Maldivian government that takes the lead in protecting young people from smoking or nicotine products, health experts and officials say.

The state-run PSM News said in a report on the day that the new measures reflect President Mohamed Muizzu's vision of fostering a "competent, morally upright, and diligent citizenry".

The Maldives has garnered significant international attention and praise from the World Health Organization and other nations for its pioneering implementation of a generational ban on tobacco, according to Maldivian Minister of Education Ismail Shafeeu.

"Being a small country, the decision taken by the Maldives has been very positively received by other countries. It is a great honor for a small country to take such a decision and lead by example," he was quoted by PSM News as saying.

First proposed on April 29, the legislation prohibits tobacco use among individuals born on or after Jan 1, 2007. It also restricts sales, with vendors now barred from selling tobacco products to anyone under 21 or to those born after the generational cut-off year.

The legislative package also enforced a nationwide ban on electronic cigarettes and vaping products. The use, possession, importation and manufacture of electronic cigarettes, vaping devices and related accessories are now banned.

The Maldives, in fact, "made history with this new regulation", Ahmed Afaal, managing director of ADK Hospitals and vice-chair of the Tobacco Control Board of the Maldives, said, adding the law's implementation will have positive effects.

He noted that this ban will not have an immediate impact, but it is a long-term strategy that will eventually lead to a healthier population and lower government expenditure on healthcare.

The Maldivian government has officially implemented landmark amendments to the Tobacco Control Act, introducing a generational ban on tobacco use effective from Nov 1.

So far, the new ban has been in the first implementation stage and retailers have been required to verify the ages of their customers before selling them any form of tobacco products, according to local media.

Move welcomed

The new move is welcomed by most citizens of the Maldives. Mohamed Shauf Rilwan, a local, said that this policy will create "a smoke-free generation in the future".

The country already had strong legislation in the past on smoking and a number of steps have been taken to curb the "epidemic" over the years. "Like many of the other countries, we are actually advancing in the fight against tobacco and one of the big successes of this would be definitely implementing the laws and regulations that are already in place," Afaal said.

Judith Mackay, director of the Hong Kong-based Asian Consultancy on Tobacco Control, said that she stands 100 percent behind what the government in the Maldives is adopting.

According to her, about 40 countries have banned e-cigarettes, so the majority have not yet done so. "So I think it's very laudable, very good that the Maldives has taken these steps."

Addressing concerns that the Maldives' pillar industry, tourism, will be affected, analysts say there appears to be no direct linkage between tobacco control laws and the tourism sector.

"Well, tourists don't come to the Maldives because of the smoking regulations, instead they come to enjoy the beach, the sea and the sun and the fresh air," said Afaal. "In fact, the less smoke there is in the air, the better for the tourists," he added.

Xinhua contributed to this story.

vivienxu@chinadailyapac.com