The Maldives just dropped a health policy bombshell 💥: Anyone born after 2007 will never legally smoke tobacco there. Starting November 1, the island nation launched the world’s first generational smoking ban – think of it as climate action, but for lungs 🌬️.
What’s the Deal?
If your birthday falls after January 1, 2007, you can’t buy, use, or even be sold cigarettes, vapes, or any tobacco products. Retailers must ID-check buyers like they’re bouncers at a club 🆔. Tourists? Yep – the rules apply to everyone on these 1,191 paradise islands 🏝️.
Penalties That Hit Hard 💸
Selling to minors? $3,200 fine (that’s 50k Maldivian rufiyaa)
E-cigarettes are completely banned for all ages, making this stricter than your average ‘no smoking’ hotel balcony sign 🚫.
Global Smoke Signals 🌍
While the UK debates similar laws and New Zealand reversed its 2022 ban last year, the Maldives is going full ‘Stranger Things’ upside-down on tobacco – flipping the script to protect Gen Alpha’s future. Health Minister Dr. Aishath Samiya called it "a historic leap toward eradicating preventable diseases" 🏥.
Travel tip: Pack nicotine patches, not vapes, for your next Maldivian getaway ✈️.
