World Health Organization (WHO) has decided to present a special recognition award to the Maldives' Minister of Health Abdulla Nazim in appreciation of his efforts against smoking and tobacco.
Highlighting the tax of 60 percent imposed on tobacco product and numerous public awareness programs conducted against smoking, WHO stated that they are awarding Nazim for the work he has done to prevent smoking.
WHO had presented the award last year to the National Drug Agency (NDA).
In his address to mark the World No Tobacco Day, Minister Nazim had declared that 81 percent of deaths in the Maldives are caused by various diseases related to smoking. He added that 462 million cigarettes are imported to the Maldives per year for which MVR 1.1 billion are wasted.
He further added that graphic health warnings will soon be introduced to the cover of cigarettes packets and that steps will be taken to control vaping, e-cigarettes and shisha in the Maldives.
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