The Health Protection Agency (HPA) has announced that the regulations for implementing the Tobacco ‘Generation Ban’ which prohibits the sale of tobacco products to individuals born in 2007 or later will be gazetted before the law comes into effect next Saturday.

The amendment to the Tobacco Control Act, passed in May 2025, is set to take effect next week, officially banning the sale of all tobacco products to anyone born in 2007 or thereafter.

An HPA official confirmed that the supporting regulation will be published prior to the enforcement date.

The regulation will require vendors to verify the buyer’s age using an official photo identification, regardless of how old the individual appears.

The official further noted that the minimum legal age for tobacco sales previously set at 18 was raised to 21 years under amendments passed late last year. Sellers must also verify identification whenever there is doubt about a buyer’s age.

In line with national efforts to promote a healthier, smoke-free generation, the importation of vapes and e-cigarettes into the Maldives has been prohibited since November 15, 2024.