Following deliberations on a paper presented by the Ministry of Health, the cabinet has conveyed its recommendation to President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, to print health warning labels on tobacco products, as per the efforts of the administration to create greater public awareness about harmful products such as tobacco, areca nut, energy drinks and sugary drinks.
The procedural guidelines for printing health warnings on tobacco products and discontinue retail sale of individual cigarettes have now been formulated and legal procedures completed.
Creating greater public awareness on health issues such as the hazards of tobacco is one of the key pledges included in the first 100-days’ goals of the administration. Graphic labelling on tobacco products and determining the minimum amount of tobacco products that can be sold retail are required as per the Tobacco Control Act and WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.