First Lady Sajidha Mohamed has called on all tobacco users to take a determined step towards overcoming tobacco addiction and safeguarding their health. She made the appeal while delivering remarks at the official ceremony held this evening at the Mulak School Hall in Meemu Atoll to commemorate World No Tobacco Day.
In her address, the First Lady noted that the launch of the national anti-tobacco campaign signals the beginning of a significant and purposeful initiative aimed at reducing tobacco use across the Maldives. She expressed confidence that the campaign would reinforce the key messages of this year's World No Tobacco Day theme and contribute to lasting behavioural change.
Highlighting the factors that facilitate tobacco use and perpetuate addiction, the First Lady emphasised the need for a collective national effort to address this major public health challenge. She called on all Maldivians to unite in protecting communities from the harmful effects of tobacco and work together towards building a tobacco-free society.
The First Lady urged cafés, restaurants and other businesses to play a leading role in protecting communities from the tobacco epidemic, stressing the importance of stronger engagement by the private sector in national efforts to combat tobacco use.
During the ceremony, the First Lady officially unveiled the logo of the national anti-tobacco campaign, Anti-Tobacco Campaign: Time to Quit. The campaign, announced on 31 May 2026 to mark World No Tobacco Day, is a five-year national initiative that was officially launched today.
The First Lady participated in a live canvas activity and signed a pledge board urging everyone to save our community by saying no to tobacco.
The ceremony also featured the announcement of the recipients of the Health Minister's Award for Tobacco Control Excellence, which recognises individuals and organisations for their notable contributions to tobacco control initiatives.
Following the ceremony, the First Lady viewed entries submitted by students from Mulak School for a poster competition organised in connection with World No Tobacco Day and posed for photographs with the winning participants. She also visited exhibition stalls prepared by students and teachers to raise awareness of the harmful effects of tobacco use.
The ceremony was attended by Minister of Health, Family and Welfare Geela Ali, Minister of Youth Empowerment, Sports and Fitness Abdulla Rafiu, World Health Organization Representative to the Maldives Ms Payden, and Member of Parliament for the Mulaku constituency Ibrahim Naufal.
The First Lady also officially inaugurated the M. Mulaku Fitness and Recreation Centre and toured the facility. The establishment of fitness and recreation centres and outdoor gyms on every inhabited island is among the pledges of President Dr Mohamed Muizzu.