“The ban applies to all forms of tobacco and retailers must check age before selling,” the Health Ministry said. Sellers who nevertheless offer tobacco to young people can receive a high fine.
Join the discussion: Should more municipalities in the Netherlands discourage smoking on the terrace?
The Maldives are known for their luxurious resorts and attract many foreign tourists every year. The new smoking ban also applies to them: anyone born after 2007 is no longer allowed to buy or use tobacco products.
Other countries
In the United Kingdom, a plan is ready for a similar generational smoking ban. It states that anyone born in 2009 or later is no longer allowed to buy cigarettes or vapes. This proposal has been before parliament for more than a year, but has not yet been adopted.
Join the discussion: should smoking be banned in the car with children?
New Zealand made headlines worldwide in 2023 with an ambitious plan to make future generations completely smoke-free. Even before the anti-smoking policy was launched, it was abolished by the new conservative government of Christopher Luxon.
The Netherlands aims to be completely smoke-free by 2040. The government does this by discouraging smoking with higher excise duties and stricter rules for the sale of tobacco and e-cigarettes.
What do you think?
Join the conversation! What do you think? Should the Netherlands also introduce a generational smoking ban? Or is this patronizing? Join the conversation our Facebook page. You can also post a comment directly below this article, we are curious about your opinion!
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