Tobacco use is the leading cause of cancer, and people should work to avoid it, President Dr Mohamed Muizzu said today.
In a post marking World Cancer Day, President Muizzu urged people to commit to quitting the harmful habit.
Cancer is a prevalent disease in Maldives. Health Protection Agency (HPA) is compiling a cancer patient registry, with more than 1,400 individuals already registered.
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
Lifestyle factors also contribute to cancer risk. To address this, the government amended the Tobacco Control Act, banning the sale, distribution, use, and import of electronic cigarettes, vapes, and vaping devices from December 15 last year.
Strict penalties have also been imposed for violations.
Additionally, the government has increased the duty on cigarettes and beedis by 50 percent.