President: Focus in implementing smoking ban is on awareness, not punishment

The administration’s biggest focus in implementing the generational smoking ban enacted on Wednesday will be on raising awareness rather than in meting out punishment, says President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu.

He made the remarks while speaking to reporters after ratifying amendments to the Tobacco Control Act which will ban smoking for all Maldivian citizens born in or after 2007, starting November.

Reporters questioned President Muizzu whether he believes the smoking ban can be effectively implemented and produce results, given concern over lack of proper implementation of existing laws and regulations aimed at tobacco control.

President Muizzu, who received the WHO Director-General Special Award earlier this week in recognition of his efforts to control tobacco in the Maldives, responded that there are always “criminals”, no matter how strong law enforcement agencies are made.

He said the administration will focus on improving the efficiency of institutions such as the Health Protection Agency (HPA), the police, and Customs.

He said that a large percentage of next year’s state budget will go towards running awareness programs.

“The goal isn’t to punish. It isn’t to criminalize people. What I want is to raise awareness. We will spend heavily on raising awareness. The greatest spending will be on public awareness,” he said.

President Muizzu said he wishes to encourage cessation, and help people voluntarily give up smoking.

He said that while he does not wish to punish people in such cases, law enforcement agencies will take action “in exceptional cases.”

President Muizzu added that his administration does not wish to raise state revenue through the tobacco business, and that all revenue generated from tobacco trade will be invested in strengthening the healthcare system and running awareness programs.

He reiterated his appeal to tobacco traders to switch to another line of business.

He expressed confidence in being able to effectively control smoking in the Maldives, but said this requires everyone to work together for a common goal.

President Muizzu launched a campaign against smoking last year, introducing a ban vapes and e-cigarettes, and doubling import duty and taxes on cigarettes.

The move doubled the price of the most common cigarette brands from MVR 110 to MVR 240 per pack.

Tobacco importers and distributors raised the prices of cigarettes following this change, with the price of common cigarette brands rising between MVR 240 to MVR 290 per pack, and MVR 2,240 per carton.

While businesses initially reported a drop in the sale of cigarettes, there has been an increase in the sale of rolling tobacco and cheaper lower quality cigarette brands, as well as a surge in the smuggling of cigarettes.