Four year masterplan to be developed to address tobacco consumption

At the recommendation of his cabinet, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has decided to develop a comprehensive masterplan aimed at combating tobacco consumption in the Maldives.

The decision was reached following extensive deliberational during the latest cabinet meeting.

As per the President’s Office, the Cabinet’s recommendation emphasised the masterplan’s focus on promoting a smoke-free society. 

In this trajectory, the masterplan will include further measures alongside the enforcement of existing tobacco control laws and regulations, with the goal of achieving a permanent solution to tobacco use over the next four years. 

Key initiatives under the masterplan will include empowering social workers, introducing incentives for non-smoking islands, and providing financial support for social activities on these recognized islands.

While President Muizzu has given a deadline of October 27^th to present the first draft of the masterplan at the cabinet meeting, he has also instructed relevant authorities to ensure the availability of free smoking cessation programs at all health centres for individuals seeking assistance.

Notably, President Muizzu announced his decision to ban the import and use of vape in the Maldives via a post on X on Monday evening.

The President, in the post, said he has instructed to ban the import of vaping devices and parts of such devices starting from November 15^th and instructed all relevant authorities to undertake all efforts necessary to ban the use, possession, production, sale, advertisement and free distribution of vapes starting from December 15^th.

The decision has been applauded by a large number of the general public and international organizations including World Health Organization.