President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has launched a special poll to gather public opinion on the appropriate age at which the Generation Ban on tobacco use should be enforced.
On 2 April 2025, during the second episode of Rayyithunnaa Eku, a podcast series designed to engage with the public, address concerns, and provide direct responses, the President shared his proposals for a generational tobacco ban, aimed at keeping younger generations away from smoking. During the episode, the President revealed that a Cabinet paper regarding the recommendations is being drafted in consultation with medical professionals and other stakeholders.
As part of his proposal, the President outlined three potential approaches for the ban:
• Prohibiting smoking for all individuals born on or after 1 January 2007
• Prohibiting smoking for all individuals born on or after 1 January 2004
• Prohibiting smoking for all individuals born on or after 1 January 2000
Explaining the rationale behind these options, he stated that focusing on the 18–25 age group would make it easier to prevent addiction before it becomes entrenched
The poll, launched on Thursday, seeks public opinion on the three recommendations. This marks the first instance in Maldivian history where a sitting President has utilised a social media platform to seek public opinion on a significant issue.