President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu urged smokers to resolve to quit the habit in a World Cancer Day message on Tuesday, stressing that smoking is one of the leading causes of cancer.
He made the appeal in a post on X on Tuesday morning.
“Smoking is one of the leading causes of cancer. On World Cancer Day, let us resolve to quit this bad habit,” he said.
ކެންސަރު ބަލި ޖެހުމަށް މެދުވެރިވާ އެންމެ ބޮޑު އެއް ސަބަބަކީ ދުންފަތުގެ އިސްތިޢުމާލު ކުރުމުން ކަމުގައިވާތީ، ދުނިޔޭގެ ކެންސަރު ބަލީގެ ދުވަހުގައި މި ނުބައި އާދައިން ދުރުވުމަށް ޢަޒުމް ކަނޑައަޅަމާތޯ! pic.twitter.com/dlLf48nuGS
— Dr Mohamed Muizzu (@MMuizzu) February 4, 2025
In a separate message, President Muizzu said that the Maldives is on track to achieving the global and regional goal of eliminating cervical cancer as a public health concern by 2030.
He said that the government is also actively working on establishing a specialized cancer facility and expanding palliative care services across the country to ensure accessibility to comprehensive care.
Through the primary health care system, screening is currently available in the Maldives for five common cancers.
“Efforts are also underway to establish specialized screening facilities, which will further support the implementation of these programs, that will also be expanded to the urban healthcare facilities,” he said.
President Muizzu said that his administration is focused not just on expanding cancer treatment, but also combatting possible cancer contributors.
A no-smoking and vaping sign. (Photo/Getty Images)
He said that the series of moved rolled out last year to strengthen tobacco control legislation and policies, including the ban on e-cigarettes and the increase in import duty on cigarettes, as well as free cessation services, demonstrates his administration’s “unwavering dedication to safeguard our people from potential cancer risk factors.”
The theme for World Cancer Day 2025 is "United by Unique", highlighting the individuality of each person's cancer journey while emphasizing their collective strength.
In his message, President Muizzu honored the memory of the loved ones lost to cancer, and applauded applaud the spirit and resilience of those that are fighting the difficult journey every day.
Cancer Society of Maldives holds its annual ‘Pink Ribbon Run-Walk’ in partnership with the Bank of Maldives. (Photo/BML)
 He also expressed his sincere gratitude to healthcare professionals, NGOs, international partners, advocates, and the community as a whole, for working tirelessly work to make a difference.
“Together, through collective action and shared responsibility, we are building a future where prevention, early detection, and equitable access to care defines our success,” he said.
Before concluding his message, President Muizzu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to work together to fight cancer and to create a healthier, resilient, and happier nation.
According to the Health Protection Agency (HPA), cases of cancer has risen sharply in the Maldives, with some 200 new registered cancer patients within the span of a year, increasing the number of cancer patients in the country to 1,600.
The Maldives has also seen an alarming increase in non-communicable diseases. According to the HPA, NCDs are responsible for 84 percent of the deaths in the Maldives.