Maldives’ generational ban on smoking goes into effect – DW

Report on the Implementation of a Generational Tobacco Ban in the Maldives

Policy Overview and Objectives

The Republic of Maldives, through its Ministry of Health, has enacted a generational prohibition on tobacco, effective Saturday. The stated objective of this policy is the protection of public health and the promotion of a tobacco-free generation, positioning the Maldives as the sole nation globally with such a ban currently in force.

• Target Cohort: The measure applies to all individuals born on or after January 1, 2007.
• Scope of Prohibition: Affected individuals are prohibited from purchasing, using, or being sold any tobacco products within the nation’s jurisdiction.
• Product Coverage: The ban encompasses all forms of tobacco.
• Retailer Obligation: Retail establishments are mandated to verify the age of customers prior to any sale of tobacco products.

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

This legislative action represents a significant national effort to advance the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, with a primary focus on health and well-being.

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

The generational tobacco ban is a direct policy instrument aimed at achieving key targets within SDG 3.

1. Target 3.4: By seeking to prevent nicotine addiction and tobacco use among its youth, the Maldives is taking proactive steps to reduce premature mortality from non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, and chronic respiratory disease, for which tobacco use is a primary risk factor.
2. Target 3.a: The policy strengthens the implementation of the World Health Organization (WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. By creating a smoke-free generation, the nation is reinforcing its commitment to this international health treaty.
3. Overall Goal: The initiative fundamentally supports the overarching goal of SDG 3 to “ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages” by safeguarding future generations from the health consequences of tobacco.

Comprehensive Application and Enforcement

The policy’s framework is designed for comprehensive coverage to maximize its public health impact, aligning with the SDG principle of leaving no one behind in health initiatives.

• Inclusion of Tourists: The prohibition extends to tourists, ensuring consistent application of public health standards across the population.
• Ban on Vaping Products: A complete ban on the import, sale, distribution, possession, and use of electronic cigarettes and vaping products is included. This ban applies to all individuals, irrespective of age, addressing another critical public health concern and supporting SDG 3.

Penalties for Non-Compliance

To ensure adherence to the new regulations, a system of financial penalties has been established.

• Sale to Prohibited Individuals: A fine of 50,000 rufiyaa ($3,200) will be imposed for selling tobacco products to a person covered by the generational ban.
• Use of Banned Vaping Devices: A fine of 5,000 rufiyaa will be levied for the use of prohibited vape devices.

Analysis of the Article in Relation to Sustainable Development Goals

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

• The article directly addresses SDG 3 by focusing on a significant public health initiative. The Maldives’ generational ban on tobacco is explicitly aimed at improving the health of its citizens. The Health Ministry’s statement, “the goal of the ban is to ‘protect public health and promote a tobacco-free generation’,” aligns perfectly with the overarching objective of SDG 3 to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages. The policy is a preventative measure designed to curb the negative health impacts associated with tobacco and vape use.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Target 3.4: Reduce by one-third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases (NCDs) through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being.

• Tobacco use is a leading cause of non-communicable diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and chronic respiratory diseases. The article describes a preventative policy—a generational ban on tobacco and a complete ban on e-cigarettes—that is designed to stop young people from starting to smoke. By creating a “tobacco-free generation,” the Maldives aims to significantly reduce the future incidence of these NCDs and the premature mortality associated with them, directly contributing to the achievement of Target 3.4.

Target 3.a: Strengthen the implementation of the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control in all countries, as appropriate.

• This target calls for robust national policies to control tobacco. The article details one of the world’s strictest tobacco control laws. The prohibition on the sale, purchase, and use of tobacco for anyone born after January 1, 2007, and the comprehensive ban on electronic cigarettes and vaping products for everyone, are powerful examples of implementing and strengthening tobacco control measures. The policy goes beyond typical age restrictions and represents a significant step in fulfilling the commitments of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Prevalence of Tobacco and Vape Use

• The primary implied indicator is the prevalence of tobacco use among the generation born on or after January 1, 2007. The success of the policy will be measured by whether this cohort remains tobacco-free. The article states these individuals are “prohibited from purchasing, using, or being sold tobacco products.” A direct measure of progress would be the percentage of this age group that uses tobacco, with the goal being zero. Similarly, the comprehensive ban on “electronic cigarettes and vaping products” for all ages implies that the prevalence of vape use among the entire population is another key indicator.

Enforcement and Compliance Metrics

• The article explicitly mentions indicators related to the enforcement of the ban. These can be used to measure the implementation of the policy.
  • The number and value of fines issued to retailers for selling tobacco to the prohibited generation. The article specifies a “fine of 50,000 rufiyaa ($3,200)” for this offense.
  • The number and value of fines issued for the use of banned vape devices. The article notes this would “carry a fine of 5,000 rufiyaa.”

  Tracking these metrics would provide data on the level of compliance and the effectiveness of the enforcement mechanism.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: dw.com