Maldives discusses plan to introduce generational smoking ban with WHO, UNICEF

Health Minister Abdulla Nazim Ibrahim on Monday met with representatives from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) to discuss introducing a generational ban on smoking in the Maldives.

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu had floated the idea of introducing a generational ban on smoking during an episode of his ‘Rayyithunnaa Eku’ podcast series on March 27. In another episode on April 2, he outlined three potential approaches for the ban:

• Prohibiting smoking for all individuals born on or after January 1, 2007
• Prohibiting smoking for all individuals born on or after January 1, 2004
• Prohibiting smoking for all individuals born on or after January 1, 2000

It targets the 18–25 age group.

The next day, he opened a poll regarding the three proposals via his official X account.

If a generational ban on smoking were to be implemented in the Maldives, to protect the health of our youth and future generations from the harmful effects of smoking, which of the following would be the most appropriate starting point?

— Dr Mohamed Muizzu (@MMuizzu) April 3, 2025

In a post on X on Monday night, the Health Ministry said that that Nazim met with officials from WHO Maldives and UNICEF Maldives earlier on Monday to discuss the plan.

“During the meeting, the agencies advised on areas of focus to ensure the successful implementation of the generational ban,” added the ministry.

The Health Ministry said that the meeting was held as part of efforts by the government gain the opinion of relevant agencies regarding introducing a generational ban to keep younger generations away from smoking.

In his podcast, President Muizzu said that targeting the 18–25 age group would make it easier to prevent addiction before it becomes entrenched.

He said that he will decide on one of the three cutoff dates following consultation with medical professionals and other stakeholders.

He also urged people involved in the tobacco business to choose a different trade.

President Muizzu launched a campaign against smoking last year, introducing a ban vapes and cigarettes, and doubling import duty and taxes on cigarettes.

The move doubled the price of the most common cigarette brands from MVR 110 to MVR 240 per pack.

Tobacco importers and distributors raised the prices of cigarettes following this change, with the price of common cigarette brands rising between MVR 240 to MVR 290 per pack, and MVR 2,240 per carton.

While businesses initially reported a drop in the sale of cigarettes, there has been an increase in the sale of rolling tobacco and cheaper lower quality cigarette brands, as well as a surge in the smuggling of cigarettes.