Minister of Health Abdulla Ameen has highlighted the importance of individual responsibility in protecting the younger generations from the harmful effects of smoking.
In the statement issued to mark the World No Tobacco Day, Health Minister Ameen said there is no room for disagreement on the harmful effects of smoking on one’s health, as well as the harmful economic and social effects of smoking. Noting this year’s World No Tobacco Day has coincided with a global health crisis, the health minister said this would be an ideal time for all smokers to begin their journey towards a tobacco-free, healthy lifestyle. He added it is an individual responsibility on each and every person to ensure they do their part to discourage smoking and to protect the younger generations from the harmful effects of tobacco.
Statistics from the Ministry of Health indicate 42% men and 3% women in the Maldives are smokers. The statistics also revealed an average of 461 million cigarettes are imported to the Maldives annually, costing over USD 103.6 million per year.
As part of the efforts to discourage smoking and support smokers who wish to quit, a cessation clinic has been established in Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH). Warning messages with illustrations of the harmful effects of smoking are required to be attached to all packs of cigarettes sold in the Maldives.