President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has appealed everyone to bid farewell to smoking and consumption of harmful substances to promote healthy lifestyles. The president made the remarks in his public address commemorating World No Tobacco Day.
In the address, President Solih expressed today is a remarkable day for the government in achieving the pledge to control and minimise the sale of tobacco substances. In this regard, he noted with the implementation of the new regulation on packaging and labeling of tobacco products, sale of single cigarettes is banned adding the new regulation also requires to place graphic health warning labels on cigarette packs with larger fonts.
Furthermore, President Solih said implementing the new regulation to its full extent is required to ensure a healthy environment and healthy Maldivians. On the same context, the president called on all stakeholders and individuals to fully implement the regulation. Moreover, the president highlighted the aim of marking a no-tobacco day is to raise awareness among the public about the harms these substances cause and to encourage leaving behind all such bad habits.
The focus of World No Tobacco Day 2019 is on tobacco and lung health. The campaign will increase awareness on: the negative impact that tobacco has on people's lung health, from cancer to chronic respiratory disease, the fundamental role lungs play for the health and well-being of all people. The campaign also serves as a call to action, advocating for effective policies to reduce tobacco consumption and engaging stakeholders across multiple sectors in the fight for tobacco control.