Health Minister Abdulla Nazim has affirmed that the uptick in crimes cannot be linked with the government’s anti-tobacco measures.
Responding to a question from North Galolhu MP Mohamed Ibrahim (Kudoo) during Wednesday’s parliamentary session, the Minister said that some changes can initially lead to various challenges.
“Nevertheless, I do not believe our anti-tobacco measures are linked to crimes in any way,” he stressed.
Nazim added that it is considered backward thinking globally to believe the health sector can improve without tackling noncommunicable diseases. As such, he said the current administration is drafting comprehensive health sector policies aimed at preventing noncommunicable diseases.
The Minister noted that the government has undertaken significant efforts to educate people on correct information as part of implementing the generational tobacco ban.
In this regard, he detailed that cessation clinics have been established across all islands for individuals who wish to stop smoking, with both the Tobacco Control Board and relevant authorities fully prepared to implement the generational tobacco ban.
President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s administration launched a campaign against smoking last year, prohibiting the import of vaping devices and e-cigarettes in November, and expanding the restriction in December to cover the sale, free distribution, and use of such products in addition to doubling duties levied on cigarettes.
Despite the global recognition for the measures, the ban on vapes and the subsequent doubling of import duty on cigarettes have created an illegal market where vapes and cheaper brands of cigarettes are being smuggled in and sold in the Maldives.