Health Ministry Engages WHO in Talks on Generational Tobacco Ban
The Ministry of Health has initiated discussions with the World Health Organization (WHO) on introducing a generational tobacco ban aimed at reducing smoking rates and supporting users in quitting the habit.
In a statement shared on the social media platform X, the Ministry confirmed that the government is currently consulting stakeholders to explore the introduction of a generational ban as part of broader efforts to create a tobacco-free generation.
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ދުންފަތުން ރައްކާތެރި ޖީލެއް ބިނާކުރުމަށް ޫޖެނެރޭޝަނަލް ބޭން ތަޢާރަފުކުރުމަށް ކަމާގުޅުންހުރި ފަރާތްތަކުގެ ޚިޔާލު ހޯދުމަށް ސަރުކާރުން ކުރަމުންދާ މަޝްވަރާތަކުގެ ތެރެއިން @WHOMaldives އާއި @UNICEFMaldives ގެ އޮފިޝަލުންނާ، ޞިއްޙީ ވަޒީރު @ANazim2019 މިއަދު ވަނީ ބައްދަލު ކުރައްވާފަ. pic.twitter.com/guoc9CwIDo— Ministry of Health (@MoHmv) April 7, 2025
Health Minister Abdulla Nazim Ibrahim recently met with representatives from both WHO and UNICEF to discuss the proposal. The Ministry stated that both agencies provided guidance on the precautions and measures required for the effective implementation of such a ban.
As part of the proposal under consideration, the government is examining three options: permanently prohibiting the sale and use of tobacco products for individuals born in 2000, 2004, or 2007. The aim is to prevent tobacco use among younger generations by introducing age-based restrictions that would apply for life.
President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has also launched an online poll to collect public feedback on the proposed ban. According to the President, the initiative is a response to growing concerns over the increasing number of young people becoming addicted to tobacco in the Maldives, a trend mirrored in several other countries. He also noted that younger individuals or those who have only recently started smoking typically find it easier to quit compared to long-term users.
