The rural country will no longer allow the sale or consumption of tobacco for those born after 2007 (Picture: Getty)

The Maldives has introduced a brand new legislation,banning anyone born after January 1,2007,from smoking.

This means anyone born after the date won’t be able to purchase,use or be sold tobacco products – both Maldives residents and visitors alike.

President Mohamed Muizzu said the groundbreaking move is in a bid to help ‘protect public health and promote a tobacco-free generation’.

And those who break the new law could face a fine of up to £2,500 for selling tobacco,or £240 for vaping.

Similar proposals have been floated in the UK,with MPs previously backing a bill which would mean nobody born after 2009 can ever legally buy tobacco products.

Though no country has outright banned smoking for everyone,Bhutan has come pretty close.

Other countries have considered a full ban (Picture: Getty)

The tiny Himalayan country outlawed smoking in all public places in 2005,and five years later,it banned the sale and production of tobacco in the country. Anyone selling tobacco faced three to five years in prison.

However,in 2020,Bhutan lifted the ban in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The country wanted to keep its borders closed to protect people from the coronavirus.

However,black market tobacco smugglers from India,where Covid-19 cases were high,tried to get into the country.

So,the tobacco ban was lifted to try to stop cross-border smuggling and limit the spread of the virus. However,the country still has laws in place to stop smoking in public places.

Mexico,where around 16% of the adult population smokes,also has some of the world’s strictest tobacco laws.

There’s a ban on smoking in all public spaces,including parks and beaches.

And the UK’s most popular holiday destination also made the move to limit smoking and vaping,which,if passed,could change travel for thousands.

A bill in Spain,introduced on September 9,proposes to ban the use of vapes,e-cigarettes,and cigarettes across outdoor venues,including bars and restaurants,bus stops,stadiums and,most importantly for us Brits, beaches.

Smoking and vaping have become increasingly popular with young people,with NHS research revealing nearly 10% of children in the UK aged 11 to 15 vape frequently.

It’s a problem in Spain too,alongside statistics from the country’s health ministry showing more than 50,000 people die there each year from smoking-related causes.

The Spanish health minister,Monica Garcia,told reporters: ‘We’ll always put public health ahead of private interests. Everyone has a right to breathe clean air… and live longer and better lives.’