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The Maldives Passes National Phase Out of Tobacco Products
WASHINGTON, DC – MAY 23, 2025 – On May 21, Maldives President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu made history by strengthening protections for his 525,994 citizens from the aggressive and deadly tobacco industry. President Muizzu ratified the Second Amendment to the Tobacco Control Act (Act No. 15/2010), which included a landmark generational ban on the sale of tobacco products, protecting future generations from the harmful effects of tobacco.
No one born on or after January 1, 2007 will ever be able to buy tobacco products in the Maldives. This is a truly life-saving policy for generations to come.
Globally, the adopted policy is known as a Tobacco-Free Generation (TFG) policy, under the overarching Tobacco Endgame movement. Endgame policies seek to phase out the sale of tobacco products through a variety of polices that regulate sales and retailers.
“The Maldives is a global leader in the tobacco endgame movement, truly prioritizing the health of their citizens,” said Laurent Huber, Executive Director of Action on Smoking and Health. “We hope to see more jurisdictions follow their lead to pass robust endgame policies.”
“In Massachusetts, our community of advocates have helped 16 towns to date pass Nicotine-Free Generation (NFG) as of May 23, 2025. Now, we welcome the Maldives to this important endgame movement,” said Maureen Buzby, Tobacco Prevention Program Coordinator, City of Melrose, MA. “The children in this world deserve to grow up in a tobacco-free world. Let’s keep this spreading.”
The Maldives enhanced their endgame policy by also banning the import, possession, and use of machinery for tobacco production, as well as electronic cigarettes, vaping devices, and related accessories. Their policy also bolding prohibits all forms of tobacco advertising, sponsorship, and promotional activities, a key element of the global tobacco treaty – the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.
Balanga City in the Philippines was the first to pass a TFG law, and 16 towns in Massachusetts have joined them. There are four U.S. state bills currently pending. New Zealand passed such a law in 2022, but the measure was rescinded in 2024 after a change in government.
Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) applauds the Maldives for prioritizing the health of their citizens over the deadly profits and interests of Big Tobacco.
ACTION ON SMOKING AND HEALTH
Founded in 1967, Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) is America’s oldest anti-tobacco organization, dedicated to a world with ZERO tobacco deaths. Because tobacco is the leading cause of preventable death worldwide, ASH supports bold solutions proportionate to the magnitude of the problem. https://ash.org