Public Backs Generational Tobacco Ban for Those Born in 2000 and Beyond

The majority of respondents have expressed support for enforcing the generational ban on tobacco use in the country for people born on or after the year 2000.

In a bid to strengthen his administration’s stance against tobacco use, President Dr Mohamed Muizzu launched a public poll to gather feedback on the appropriate age at which the generational ban on tobacco should be implemented.

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The idea of a generational ban was first introduced by President Muizzu during the ‘Rayyithunnaa Eku’ podcast episode on March 27th. In the second episode, aired on April 2nd, he emphasised that the primary focus would be on restricting tobacco use among individuals aged 18 years or younger. To facilitate public input, Muizzu offered three options regarding the start date for the generational ban:

• Imposing the generational ban on individuals born from January 1, 2000 onward
• Imposing the generational ban on individuals born from January 1, 2004 onward
• Imposing the generational ban on individuals born from January 1, 2007 onward

The poll was launched across several popular social media platforms, including Facebook, X, and Instagram. By the deadline, the poll on X alone had garnered 5,501 votes, with 51.1 percent (2,809 votes) supporting the generational ban for individuals born in 2000. A further 41 percent (2,242 votes) favoured imposing the ban on those born in 2007, while only 450 voters supported the option for individuals born in 2004 onward.

Results from the Facebook poll showed that 72 percent of respondents backed the 2000 option, while only 4 percent favoured the 2004 option, and 23 percent chose the 2007 option. On Instagram, 45 percent of participants supported the 2000 option, 13 percent favoured the 2004 option, and 43 percent selected the 2007 option.

President Muizzu remarked that it would not be long before local youths aged between 18 and 25 began smoking or using tobacco, suggesting that this group could be more easily encouraged to quit the habit.

He assured the public that all three proposed options would be carefully considered at a technical level before a final decision is made. Once a decision is reached, the generational ban will be legally enforced.

In addition to the generational ban, President Muizzu had previously encouraged local businesses involved in the import and sale of tobacco and cigarettes to explore alternative business ventures.