Minister of Health, Abdulla Nazim Ibrahim has announced that the master plan for tobacco control in the Maldives will be finalised by early next year. 

The Minister made the statement during the opening ceremony of the 4th National Roundtable meeting on amendments to the Prohibition of Drugs and Tobacco Control Act.

The event, themed “Towards a Smoke-Free Generation” and titled Kaigen Hingamaa, was organised in collaboration with the Health Protection Agency (HPA) and UNICEF. Dr Edward Addai, the UNICEF Representative to the Maldives, also attended the roundtable.

Minister Abdulla Nazim highlighted that President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has taken significant steps to promote public health, including efforts to curb tobacco use across the country. According to the minister, the Government is working on a comprehensive, long-term national plan aimed at making the Maldives tobacco-free. The necessary documentation for the plan is expected to be completed early next year, paving the way for its implementation.

The minister also stressed the importance of public involvement in tobacco control. He added that collective cooperation of every Maldivian is needed to create awareness, implement the Tobacco Control Act, and assist the affected individuals.

In addition to the national plan, the Ministry of Health is working to establish cessation clinics across the country and train personnel to support these efforts.

The roundtable discussions this year focused on strategies to protect children and young people from tobacco abuse. This initiative builds on Government actions such as raising excise duties on imported cigarettes and banning the sale and use of vape products.