President in view of banning smoking for people aged below 25

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, on Wednesday, has shared his proposals for a generational tobacco ban, aimed at keeping younger generations away from smoking.

The President shared his proposal during the second episode of the President’s Office’s podcast, ‘Rayyithunna Eku’, aimed at engaging with the public, fostering closer connections, and promoting governance through active public consultation.

The President had announced plans to introduce a ‘Generation Ban’ to prevent Maldivian youths from taking up smoking and to reduce tobacco use in society during the first episode of the podcast.

Speaking during the second episode of the podcast on Wednesday, the President revealed that Health Minister Abdulla Nazim Ibrahim has been tasked with drafting a cabinet paper regarding the recommendations for the generation ban. He emphasized the need for consultation with medical professionals and other stakeholders in drafting the policy.

The President detailed his proposal for the generation, outlining three potential approaches for the ban.

• Prohibiting smoking for all individuals born on or after January 1st, 2007
• Prohibiting smoking for all individuals born on or after January 1st, 2004
• Prohibiting smoking for all individuals born on or after January 1st, 2000

This puts focus of the generation ban on the age groups from 18 to 25. Explaining the rationale behind these options, he stated that focusing on the 18–25 age group would make it easier to prevent addiction before it becomes entrenched.

During Wednesday’s episode, President Muizzu also appealed to tobacco traders to cease selling tobacco products and transition to alternative businesses. He emphasized that, given the Maldives' relatively small population, the country should not support a tobacco industry. As such, he called for strong measures to reduce the prevalence of tobacco use in the nation.

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 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.