马尔代夫全球首推代际禁烟令 | 卫报

文章背景

马尔代夫健康部称，自11月1日起，该国开始对2007年1月1日后出生的人实施禁烟令，成为全球唯一实施代际烟草禁令的国家。此举由总统穆伊祖发起，旨在保护公众健康、推动无烟一代。

根据新规，相关人员不得在马尔代夫购买、使用或被售卖烟草制品，该禁令适用于所有形式的烟草，零售商需在销售前核实年龄。该措施也适用于游客。同时，马尔代夫全面禁止进口、销售、分发、持有和使用电子烟及电子雾化产品，不分年龄。向未成年人售卖烟草产品罚款5万卢菲亚（约3200美元），使用电子烟设备罚款5000卢菲亚（约320美元）。英国类似禁令仍在立法，新西兰虽率先立法但于2023年11月废除。

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【Para. 1】The Maldives began implementing a smoking ban on anyone born after January 2007, becoming the only country with a generational prohibition on tobacco, according to its health ministry.

【Para. 2】The move, which was initiated by the president, Mohamed Muizzu, earlier this year and came into effect on 1 November, will “protect public health and promote a tobacco-free generation”, the ministry said.

【Para. 3】“Under the new provision, individuals born on or after 1 January 2007 are prohibited from purchasing, using, or being sold tobacco products within the Maldives,” it added. “The ban applies to all forms of tobacco, and retailers are required to verify age prior to sale.”

【Para. 4】The measure also applies to visitors to the nation of 1,191 tiny coral islets scattered some 800km (500 miles) across the equator and known for its luxury tourism.

【Para. 5】The ministry said it also maintains a comprehensive ban on the import, sale, distribution, possession and use of electronic cigarettes and vaping products, applicable to all individuals regardless of age.

【Para. 6】 Selling tobacco products to an underage person carries a penalty of 50,000 rufiyaa ($3,200), while using vape devices carries a fine of 5,000 rufiyaa ($320).

【Para. 7】A similar generational ban proposed in the UK is still going through the legislative process, while New Zealand – the first country to enact such a law against smoking – repealed it in November 2023, less than a year after it was introduced.