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
ICC chamber eases ID rule for drug war victims
GLOBALNATION
US to deploy missiles to Batanes for drills
GLOBALNATION
2 Singaporeans, Filipino nabbed in Valenzuela gun bust
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still in the legislative process, while New Zealand — the first country to enact a generational law against smoking — repealed it in November 2023, less than a year after it was introduced.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
CA upholds Caloocan cop’s conviction in Arnaiz, De Guzman case
Recovering Pope Francis expected to delight crowds at Easter Sunday mass
PH Coast Guard names first female spokesperson
Niana Guerrero shows off powerful moves in Coachella debut
Bayan Muna pushes justice for EJK victims in White Ribbon Campaign
Magnitude 5.9 earthquake hits waters off Sultan Kudarat
MOST READ
Nora Aunor’s ex husband Christopher de Leon visits wake, comforts children
ICC chamber eases ID rule for drug war victims
CA upholds Caloocan cop's conviction in Arnaiz, De Guzman case
Gotianun scion finds North Star in hospitality
newsinfo
CA upholds Caloocan cop’s conviction in Arnaiz, De Guzman case
globalnation
Recovering Pope Francis expected to delight crowds at Easter Sunday mass
newsinfo
PH Coast Guard names first female spokesperson
entertainment
Niana Guerrero shows off powerful moves in Coachella debut
newsinfo
Bayan Muna pushes justice for EJK victims in White Ribbon Campaign
newsinfo
Magnitude 5.9 earthquake hits waters off Sultan Kudarat
entertainment
Nora Aunor’s ex husband Christopher de Leon visits wake, comforts children
globalnation
ICC chamber eases ID rule for drug war victims
newsinfo
CA upholds Caloocan cop's conviction in Arnaiz, De Guzman case
business
Gotianun scion finds North Star in hospitality
entertainment
Nora Aunor’s impersonator Ate Gay performs ‘Kahit Konting Awa’ during wake
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.
