The Maldives have introduced a ban on smoking for people born after 2006 - becoming the first and only country to have a nationwide generational tobacco ban.
The new law, which came into effect on November 1, will mean it is now illegal for those under the age limit to buy or sell tobacco in the Indian Ocean archipelago.
“Individuals born on or after 1 January 2007 are prohibited from purchasing, using, or being sold tobacco products within the Maldives,” the country’s health ministry said.
"The ban reflects the government's strong commitment to protecting young people from the harms of tobacco."
It comes after the Maldives made it illegal for anyone to anyone to import, sell, possess, use or distribute electronic cigarettes and vaping products regardless of age last year.
The tobacco ban will also extend to tourists - hundreds of thousands visit the Maldives every month. Those born in 2006 or earlier will still be able to smoke.
Selling tobacco products to an underage person will carry a fine of 50,000 rufiyaa (NZ$5700).
In December 2022, New Zealand's Labour Party introduced a similar law, proposing the sale of tobacco be banned for anyone born after January 1, 2009.
The law was scrapped in 2023 by the coalition Government.
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