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Megan Manning
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The Maldives Passes Nationwide Section Out of Tobacco Merchandise
WASHINGTON, DC – MAY 23, 2025 – On Might 21, Maldives President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu made historical past by strengthening protections for his 525,994 residents from the aggressive and lethal tobacco business. President Muizzu ratified the Second Modification to the Tobacco Management Act (Act No. 15/2010), which included a landmark generational ban on the sale of tobacco merchandise, defending future generations from the dangerous results of tobacco.
Nobody born on or after January 1, 2007 will ever have the ability to purchase tobacco merchandise within the Maldives. It is a really life-saving coverage for generations to return.
Globally, the adopted coverage is called a Tobacco-Free Technology (TFG) coverage, underneath the overarching Tobacco Endgame motion. Endgame insurance policies search to section out the sale of tobacco merchandise by means of quite a lot of polices that regulate gross sales and retailers.
“The Maldives is a world chief within the tobacco endgame motion, really prioritizing the well being of their residents,” stated Laurent Huber, Govt Director of Motion on Smoking and Well being. “We hope to see extra jurisdictions comply with their result in cross strong endgame insurance policies.”
“In Massachusetts, our neighborhood of advocates have helped 16 cities up to now cross Nicotine-Free Technology (NFG) as of Might 23, 2025. Now, we welcome the Maldives to this essential endgame motion,” stated Maureen Buzby, Tobacco Prevention Program Coordinator, Metropolis of Melrose, MA. “The youngsters on this world need to develop up in a tobacco-free world. Let’s preserve this spreading.”
The Maldives enhanced their endgame coverage by additionally banning the import, possession, and use of equipment for tobacco manufacturing, in addition to digital cigarettes, vaping gadgets, and associated equipment. Their coverage additionally bolding prohibits all types of tobacco promoting, sponsorship, and promotional actions, a key aspect of the worldwide tobacco treaty – the WHO Framework Conference on Tobacco Management.
Balanga Metropolis within the Philippines was the primary to cross a TFG regulation, and 16 cities in Massachusetts have joined them. There are 4 U.S. state payments at the moment pending. New Zealand handed such a regulation in 2022, however the measure was rescinded in 2024 after a change in authorities.
Motion on Smoking and Well being (ASH) applauds the Maldives for prioritizing the well being of their residents over the lethal income and pursuits of Huge Tobacco.
ACTION ON SMOKING AND HEALTH
Based in 1967, Motion on Smoking and Well being (ASH) is America’s oldest anti-tobacco group, devoted to a world with ZERO tobacco deaths. As a result of tobacco is the main explanation for preventable dying worldwide, ASH helps daring options proportionate to the magnitude of the issue.
