The Government has launched a five-year national campaign aimed at creating a tobacco-free society.
The campaign was announced today at a press conference held at the President’s Office to mark World No Tobacco Day.
Announcing the initiative, Minister of Health, Family and Welfare Geela Ali highlighted key measures introduced by the current Administration to reduce tobacco use, including the generational tobacco ban and the prohibition of electronic cigarettes.
Emphasising the need for sustained action, she noted that tobacco use cannot be addressed through short-term measures alone, adding that the success of the five-year campaign would depend on the active participation of both individuals and communities. Other Cabinet ministers in attendance stressed the importance of collective responsibility in achieving the campaign’s objectives.
The campaign will focus on raising awareness across key sectors and will be supported by incentives, educational and youth-focused initiatives, civil society engagement, and strengthened law enforcement measures.
These remarks echoed the message of President Dr Mohamed Muizzu on World No Tobacco Day, in which he called for collective action to protect future generations from the adverse effects of tobacco and to build a healthier, tobacco-free Maldives.
Minister of Health, Family and Welfare Geela Ali was joined at today’s press conference by Minister of Homeland Security, Labour and Technology Ali Ihusaan, Minister of Education, Higher Education and Skills Development Dr Ismail Shafeeu, and Minister of Youth Empowerment, Sports and Fitness Abdulla Rafiu.