President proposes tobacco ban for under 18-25-year-olds
He compared the potential tobacco ban to the existing restrictions on vaping and emphasised that the objective is to discourage tobacco use.
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President Mohamed Muizzu has proposed a phased ban on tobacco use for individuals under a certain age as part of his 'generational ban' policy.
Speaking in the second episode of the Rayyithunna Eku podcast on Wednesday, the President outlined three possible approaches to the policy.
The proposed options include banning smoking for individuals born on or after:
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1 January 2000 (those currently aged 25 or younger)
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1 January 2004 (those currently aged 21 or younger)
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1 January 2007 (those currently aged 18 or younger)
The President stated that these options would be reviewed at a technical level before a final decision is made. The ban would apply to individuals below 25, 21, or 18 years of age, depending on the chosen approach.
He compared the potential tobacco ban to the existing restrictions on vaping and emphasised that the objective is to discourage tobacco use. He also noted that the recent increase in cigarette prices was implemented for this purpose.
Acknowledging public concerns, President Muizzu said he had received messages from parents stating that their children, who previously purchased cigarettes with their own earnings, were now asking them for money due to the price hike.
