Amendment proposed to prohibit tobacco sales without age verification

An amendment has been proposed to the Tobacco Control Act requiring sellers to request official government identification if there is any doubt about a buyer’s age.

The amendment submitted by Kinbidhoo MP Ali Ashrag on behalf of the government, places responsibility on tobacco vendors to ensure that products are not sold to anyone born on or after January 1, 2007, or anyone under 21 years of age even if the seller holds a valid license to sell tobacco.

This follows a recent change last year that raised the legal age for tobacco purchase from 18 to 21. The government also banned import of vape products on December 15 last year.

The new amendment is part of the government’s plan to establish a tobacco-free generation by prohibiting tobacco sales to those born in or after 2007.

President's Office earlier stated that the generational ban will take effect from November 1, following a six month period after legal and regulatory changes.

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu, citing findings from a 2022 national health study, noted that smoking is the leading cause of non-communicable diseases in Maldives.

“This is a matter of national urgency, especially for a small population like Maldives. Those born since January 1, 2007, make up 30.1 percent of the current population of 411,741," President Muizzu said.