Smoking directly contributes to 150 deaths a year in Maldives: HPA

World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that diseases caused directly due to smoking kills 150 people annually in the Maldives, said Health Protection Agency (HPA).

In its statement released on the occasion of World No-Tobacco Day being commemorated on Friday, May 31, HPA revealed that 400 million cigarettes worth MVR 1.8 billion (USD 116.7 million) are imported into the country every year.

With hookah (shisha) and vapes also increasing in popularity and hundreds of thousands of Rufiyaa being spent on importing these products, the amount Aasandha - the universal health insurance scheme of Maldives - spends on diseases caused due to smoking is also significantly high.

HPA said that as the youth population who suffer from smoking related conditions increases, it stands to negatively impact the productivity, development and economy of the country.

"World Health Organisation estimates that an average of 150 people a year [roughly one person every two days] dies in the Maldives due to diseases caused directly due to smoking. Smoking induced diseases are painful and chronic [long term]. As a result, the patient and their families endure much heartache and pain," wrote HPA in its statement.

Reflecting on this year's theme for World No-Tobacco Day, 'Protecting Children from Tobacco Industry Interference', HPA wrote that products such as electronic cigarettes and nicotine pouches are becoming increasingly popular among children and youth, through advertisements on social media and streaming platforms.

According to statistics from two years back, 37 million children aged between 15 and 16 participate some form of smoking globally, HPA wrote.

Even in the Maldives, the number is going up, and effort needs to be put into to protect children from smoking, the statement further reads.

"The use of such products is increasing amongst adolescents and youth, and the number of people who smoke in the country is increasing."

"Looking at the Maldivian population, the number of chronic non-communicable diseases which cause major challenges in life and costs for treatment are increasing. The increasing number of youth and middle aged individuals who are unable to work due to such situations is of great concern," it further states.

Second hand smoking is also a way which subjects non-smokers to the same dangers of smoking, while also affecting their mental wellbeing. While cigarette smoke carries a 90 percent risk of lung cancer, it increases the risks of other non-communicable diseases as well, and may lead to conditions such as stroke, hear disease, lung and throat diseases as well as diabetes.

Smoking also increases the risk of contracting tuberculosis (TB), and reduces fertility, making it difficult to conceive. It also may lead to miscarries, early labour, still births and birth defects in children born to smokers.

Ways to eliminate smoking

- Strengthen the implementation of regulations against smoking in public spaces to ensure the rights of those who do not smoke.

- Take necessary measures to stop the advertising and marketing of smoking related products.

- Increase taxes on smoking products and allocate a portion of it towards tobacco control and health promotion.