A generational prohibition on tobacco went into effect in the Maldives on Saturday, the country's Health Ministry said.

Maldives is now the only country in the world with such a ban.

The measure will apply to anyone born after January 2007. The policy received backing from President Mohamed Muizzu earlier this year. 

A statement from the Health Ministry said the goal of the ban is to "protect public health and promote a tobacco-free generation."

"Under the new provision, individuals born on or after January 1, 2007 are prohibited from purchasing, using, or being sold tobacco products within the Maldives," the statement read.

"The ban applies to all forms of tobacco, and retailers are required to verify age prior to sale," it added.

Selling tobacco products to an underage person would mean a fine of 50,000 rufiyaa ($3,200).

Ban applies to tourists

The Maldives is a South Asian nation of 1,191 tiny coral islets scattered some 800 kilometers (500 miles) from north to south, with the Equator passing through its southern atolls. 

The archipelagic country is known for its luxury tourism.

Tourists will also be subject to the comprehensive ban, which also includes the import, sale, distribution, possession, and use of electronic cigarettes and vaping products.

The electronic cigarettes and vapes ban applies to all individuals regardless of age.

Using banned vape devices would carry a fine of 5,000 rufiyaa.

So far, New Zealand is the first and only country to enact such a law against smoking, but it was repealed in November 2023, less than a year after it was introduced.

Edited by: Srinivas Mazumdaru