‘Generation Ban’ to be introduced to prevent smoking among youths

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, on Thursday, has announced plans to introduce a ‘Generation Ban’ to prevent Maldivian youths from taking up smoking and to reduce tobacco use in society.

He made the announcement during the first episode of ‘Rayythunnaa Eku’, a podcast hosted by the President’s Office on Thursday, featuring the President.

Notably, the current administration has banned vape and doubled taxes levied on cigarettes as part efforts to control tobacco use.

Speaking during the podcast, the President highlighted the importance of the current measures to control tobacco use, calling them vital steps. He expressed confidence that the measures will improve public health.

President Muizzu further said the government intends to phase out tobacco imports entirely over several years and in this trajectory, announced plans to introduce a ‘Generation Ban’, designed to ensure young people never start using tobacco. Further details will be shared later he, added.

“The next step we have planned, further details to be disclosed later, is what is called a ‘generation ban’, that will see measures to discourage newly taking up smoking, particularly for youths,” he said.

“It is mostly people of older ages that have been smoking long term due to addiction,” he noted.

“However, we will take measures to discourage youths newly taking up smoking after turning 18 and save their entire lives from this,” he added.

The Generation Ban has been adopted in various countries around the world to keep young people from starting tobacco use. It introduces a complete ban on tobacco products for certain age groups.

The hike in the duty levied on tobacco products has raised the price of a cigarette box from MVR 110 to MVR 240. Despite the hike in the duty, the revenue generated from the tax on cigarettes has significantly declined.

Moreover, the sale of cigarettes that have been illegally imported has also seen a rise, with multiple such cases reported recently.

The opposition has accused the government of hiking the duty levied on tobacco products to increase state revenue. However, the government has affirmed the measures were implemented with public health as a priority.