Health Minister Abdulla Nazim has stated that islands wishing to become tobacco-free can do so voluntarily, with the decision implemented only after consulting residents and the island council.

The Minister was responding to questions from MPs regarding the Government’s proposal to offer financial incentives to islands that collectively quit smoking.

Answering a query from Galolhu North MP Mohamed Ibrahim, Minister Nazim confirmed that the Government intends to proceed with the incentive scheme but emphasised that participation will not be mandatory.

He noted that the concept is not new in the Maldives, as similar awards have been issued previously. The Minister outlined a three-phase approach that island communities would follow to achieve tobacco-free status. The first phase involves residents agreeing not to smoke in any public space. The second phase requires ending the sale of tobacco products on the island. The third phase moves toward eliminating smoking altogether, supported by measures to ensure long-term sustainability.

Minister Nazim added that the process will be implemented in collaboration with the Health Protection Agency (HPA). An independent committee will work with HPA to assess compliance in line with international standards, including guidelines used by the World Health Organization to certify disease-free communities.

He stressed that receiving recognition does not imply that every resident has stopped smoking. “It does not mean 100 per cent of the people will not smoke. It means the community has met the standards required to be recognised as a smoke-free community,” he said.

The discussion in Parliament follows earlier steps taken in June 2025, when President Dr Mohamed Muizzu directed relevant ministries to examine the proposal and draft an implementation framework. In line with this, the Ministry of Health has begun a public consultation to assess the feasibility of offering financial incentives to island communities that successfully quit smoking.