馬爾代夫近期實施一項全球領先的公共衛生政策——“世代禁煙令”，旨在從根本上降低煙草使用率，保護未來世代免受吸菸危害。根據新規定，凡是2007年及以後出生的人士，無論是馬爾代夫公民還是居住於當地的外國居民，均不得購買或使用任何形式的煙草製品，包括香煙、雪茄、電子煙及其他煙草替代品。值得注意的是，這項規定同樣適用於前來旅遊的外國遊客，意味著即便是短期停留的人，也必須遵守相關禁煙條款。

官方解釋稱，此舉的核心目的是建立一個真正世代無菸社會（Tobacco-Free Generation）。政策制定者認為，單靠現有的菸稅和廣告限制無法徹底遏制青少年吸菸，長期吸菸帶來的健康風險，包括癌症、心血管疾病及呼吸系統疾病，依然嚴重威脅公共健康。因此，馬爾代夫政府選擇直接從人口結構上切斷新生代的吸菸途徑。

政策規定一旦生效，商家不得向2007年後出生的消費者出售煙草產品，違規者將面臨重罰。衛生部門也將加強執法力度，包括在零售點和旅遊區設立監督機制，確保外國遊客和當地居民均遵守禁煙規範。政府同時啟動了教育宣導計畫，向公眾普及吸菸危害知識，特別針對青少年群體，宣傳「不開始吸菸比戒菸更重要」的理念。

這項政策在國際上引起廣泛關注，被視為公共衛生領域的一大創新。許多健康專家認為，透過世代禁煙策略，可以從源頭控制煙草消費率，有助於降低未來的醫療負擔。然而，也有部分人對此提出質疑，擔心實施過程中可能涉及個人自由限制與外國遊客權益管理的挑戰。

總體而言，馬爾代夫的世代禁煙令展現該國在公共衛生政策與長期健康規劃方面的前瞻性。若能有效執行，未來幾十年可能成為全球少數實現「世代無菸」社會的國家之一，同時也為其他國家提供一個可參考的健康政策模式。

The Maldives has recently implemented a groundbreaking public health policy known as the “Tobacco-Free Generation” law, aiming to drastically reduce tobacco use and protect future generations from the harms of smoking. Under the new regulation, anyone born in 2007 or later—whether Maldivian citizens, residents, or even short-term foreign visitors—is prohibited from purchasing or using any form of tobacco products, including cigarettes, cigars, e-cigarettes, and other tobacco alternatives. Notably, the law applies to tourists as well, meaning that visitors to the country must also comply with the ban during their stay.

Officials explained that the central goal of the policy is to establish a truly tobacco-free generation. Policymakers argued that traditional measures such as tobacco taxes and advertising restrictions alone are insufficient to prevent youth smoking. Smoking remains a major public health risk, contributing to cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and respiratory illnesses. By restricting access to tobacco products for younger generations, the government seeks to cut off smoking habits at the source.

Under the law, retailers are prohibited from selling tobacco products to anyone born after 2007, with violators facing significant penalties. The Ministry of Health will also strengthen enforcement, including supervision at retail outlets and tourist areas, ensuring that both locals and foreign visitors adhere to the regulations. In parallel, the government has launched an educational campaign to raise public awareness of the health risks associated with smoking, especially targeting young people and emphasizing that preventing smoking initiation is more effective than quitting later.

Internationally, the policy has attracted widespread attention and is regarded as an innovative approach to public health. Health experts suggest that implementing a tobacco-free generation strategy can effectively reduce tobacco consumption rates over time and alleviate future healthcare burdens. However, some critics have raised concerns about potential restrictions on personal freedom and the practical challenges of enforcing the law among foreign tourists.

Overall, the Maldives’ tobacco-free generation initiative reflects a forward-thinking approach to long-term public health planning. If successfully enforced, the country could become one of the few in the world to achieve a tobacco-free generation, providing a potential model for other nations seeking to combat smoking-related health risks.