The Republic of Maldives marked a historic milestone in public health with a nationwide 24-hour Torch Run, held as part of a countrywide campaign to mark the start of the Generational Tobacco Ban. The event was organized in partnership between the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Youth and Sports, with technical support from WHO Maldives. Taking place across multiple islands, the torch run brought together government institutions, private sector organizations, NGOs, youth and sports associations, and community groups in a unified call to protect future generations from the harms of tobacco. The continuous relay symbolized shared responsibility, collective action, and a national commitment to building a tobacco-free future.
The main event was held in Malé, serving as the symbolic heart of the nationwide campaign. 24 hours, the torch passed from hand to hand, transforming public spaces into platforms for awareness, dialogue, and solidarity around one of the most ambitious tobacco control measures in the world.
In November 2025, the Maldives implemented a landmark Generational Tobacco Ban, prohibiting anyone born on or after 1 January 2007 from ever legally buying, selling, or using tobacco products. The ban applies universally (including to foreign visitors) making the Maldives the first country in the world to introduce a lifetime tobacco prohibition for a defined generation. This decisive step builds on existing strong tobacco control measures, including a nationwide ban on e-cigarettes and vaping products for all ages and strict controls on tobacco imports.
The generational ban represents a fundamental shift in public health policy; from managing tobacco-related harm to preventing addiction before it starts. It is a long-term investment in the health and well-being of children and young people, aimed at reducing noncommunicable diseases, preventing premature deaths, and easing future health-care burdens. More than a regulatory action, the ban seeks to reshape social norms, empower youth, and affirm every child’s right to grow up free from tobacco and nicotine addiction.
As the torch run concluded across islands and communities, it left behind a powerful message: the journey toward a tobacco-free generation has begun. Through bold policy leadership, strong partnerships, and active community mobilization, the Maldives has signaled its unwavering commitment to safeguarding the health of future generations and setting a global example in tobacco control.