President Dr Mohamed Muizzu on Thursday announced plans to invest revenue from the recent increase on taxes on tobacco imports on smoking cessation programmes in his bid for a healthier nation.
In his Presidential Address to inaugurate the Parliament for the year, President Dr Muizzu urged the Maldivian people to get behind his national initiative against tobacco use in the country.
In that regard, the President announced plans to utilise the extra revenue generated from the recent increase of taxes on tobacco products to fund smoking cessation programmes and treat diseases caused by smoking.
He also urged tobacco users in the country to do everything possible to kick the dangerous habit.
“I want to share something about these measures against tobacco use. I will invest the extra revenue we earn as a result of this tax increase to help people quit smoking like preventive health care programmes and projects,” he explained.
“I urge all citizens who have developed the habit of smoking to do everything in their power to kick the habit.”
The President also revealed plans to establish at least one smoking cessation clinic in every inhabited island to help those who wish to quit smoking.
He said that efforts are underway to make necessary medication readily available for those who want to quit smoking in every hospital and medical center across the country through the State Trading Organization (STO).