A top winter sun holiday destination for Brits has introduced a smoking law that will apply to both residents and visitors in a major first for the world. The Maldives, a stunning archipelago in the Indian Ocean, has introduced a ban on smoking for young people born on or after January 1, 2007 – and it is already in effect. 

The new law, which came into effect on November 1, means that it is now illegal for those under the age limit to buy or sell tobacco in the South Asian island nation. It becomes the only country in the world with a generational prohibition on tobacco. The country’s health minister described the move as a “historic milestone in the nation’s efforts to protect public health and promote a tobacco-free generation”. Those who continue to sell products to underage people, or even use vape devices, now carry hefty fines.

Selling tobacco products to an underage person now carries a fine of 50,000 rufiyaa (£2,465), while using vape devices carries a penalty of 5,000 rufiyaa (£246). The ban applies to all forms of tobacco and retailers are required to verify a person’s age prior to sale, according to The Independent.

The new law also applies to visitors to the luxury holiday destination, which in some places offers jaw-dropping island stays for an incredible £100,000 a night, or £1.4 million for a fortnight.

The archipelago’s vice chair of its tobacco control board, Ahmed Afaal, is not concerned about the ban having an adverse effect on tourism: “People don’t come to the Maldives because they’re able to smoke,” he said. “They come for the beaches, they come for the sea, they come for the sun, and they come for the fresh air.”

He said that the number of visitors to the Maldives has actually increased over the past year, with projections suggesting more than two million tourists in the next year.

The Maldives has become one of several countries worldwide that are moving to introduce smoking bans or restrictions. In September, it was revealed that Belgium will ban smoking and vaping on its public terraces, as well as scrap smoking rooms in bars, airports and shisha lounges from January 1, 2027. The new rules also require hospitality businesses to display clear no-smoking signs, or face penalties if they ignore violations, fail to remove ashtrays or encourage smoking.

“Protecting people’s health and creating a healthy environment for everyone is what matters to us,” said health minister Frank Vandenbroucke. “With these measures, we prevent children and adults from involuntarily inhaling harmful cigarette smoke and ensure that people are not tempted to light up a cigarette.”