Pres: Smoking ban not imposed from 2000 onwards to ensure results

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu stated that the generational tobacco ban was not imposed on individuals born starting from 2000 onward, despite it receiving majority support in a social media poll, as he believes the measure would not yield effective results.

President Muizzu first 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 targetted the 18–25 age group.

The next day, he opened a poll regarding the three proposals via his official X account. The majority of people voted in favor of implementing a smoking ban for individuals born starting from 2000 onwards.

However, the cabinet resolved to impose the smoking ban for individuals born starting from 2007 onwards.

Speaking during Thursday’s episode of ‘Rayyithunnaa Eku’, President Muizzu said the cabinet’s decision was in no way to disrespect the opinion of the public, but as the government believes imposing the ban from 2000 onwards would not yield effective results.

“While a majority of youths are smokers, the cabinet considered the aspect of implementation when coming to the decision,” he said.

“We are trying to mandate something upon the people. When mandating something, it should be done in a manner that does not cause difficulties to anyone,” he added.

President Muizzu said the government’s goal is to discourage smoking across the entire population, rather than targeting a specific generation. He described the current ban as a moderate step toward achieving that broader objective.

The cabinet resolved to implement a generational tobacco ban, prohibiting the sale, purchase, and use of tobacco products for individuals born on or after January 1, 2007, after deliberating on the proposal from Health Ministry. As such, enforcement agencies have been instructed to begin amending relevant laws and regulations to facilitate the introduction of the ban.

The cabinet decision specified the allocation of six months for enforcement authorities to revise existing regulations following the amendment and ratification of the law. The new legislation is set to come into force on November 01, 2025.

Finance Ministry was also instructed to work closely with Health Ministry to ensure improved access to tobacco cessation services across the country.

The current administration launched a campaign against smoking last year, introducing a ban on vapes and e-cigarettes, and doubling import duty and taxes on cigarettes.