In a video message shared on social media ahead of the meeting, the President’s Office highlighted the impact of tobacco use, calling it the leading cause of non-communicable diseases and disability in the country.
![[File] Cabinet meeting at the President's Office --](https://cdn.mihaaru.com/photos/2025/02/18/411387_3_ce279f3ded6462bd1521a849afc0206815e9257e_thumb.jpeg)
The Cabinet is expected to decide today whether to introduce a generation-based ban on the sale of tobacco products in Maldives.
In a video message shared on social media ahead of the meeting, the President’s Office highlighted the impact of tobacco use, calling it the leading cause of non-communicable diseases and disability in the country.
Citing a 2022 study, the government said 84 percent of all deaths in the Maldives are linked to non-communicable diseases, many of which are caused by tobacco use.
President Mohamed Muizzu stressed the urgency of curbing tobacco consumption, especially among Maldivian youth.
According to the 2021 Non-Communicable Diseases Survey, 21.8 percent of those aged 15 to 29 are smokers.
A Global Youth Survey found that 45 percent of participants use some form of tobacco.
“In a country with a small population like ours, this is something we must take very seriously,” President Muizzu said.
“As of now, 30.1 percent of the population or 411,741 people born since January 1, 2007 fall under the group potentially affected by the ban.”
He added that rising rates of conditions such as cancer and heart disease among youth demand stronger action.
“We need to build a healthy generation,” he said.
Public feedback on the proposal was sought through polls on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook, offering three options for a generation ban:
- Ban tobacco sales to anyone born on or after 1 January 2007
- Ban for those born on or after 1 January 2004
- Ban for those born on or after 1 January 2000
The poll closed on Tuesday, with most respondents supporting a ban starting with those born in 2000.
If adopted, the proposed ban would prohibit the sale of tobacco to anyone born in or after the chosen year regardless of their age in the future. Current law permits tobacco sales to individuals over the age of 18.
The government has already banned the import of e-cigarettes and vapes as of 15 December last year. Violations carry heavy fines.
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