First Lady Sajidha Mohamed has commended the Government’s leadership in implementing the generational ban on tobacco.

The generational ban, which came into effect today, prohibits the sale, purchase, and use of tobacco products by individuals born on or after 1 January 2007.

In a post on her official X account, the First Lady described the day as a historic step towards a tobacco-free Maldives. She said that, as a healthcare advocate, she applauded the Government’s leadership in launching the generational ban on tobacco, calling it a powerful investment in the wellbeing of future generations.

The First Lady stated that it was a bold, evidence-based step to break the cycle of addiction and prevent diseases, adding that the country was securing a healthier and stronger future for its youth, and that it was a proud moment for the Maldives.