Nazim urges advocacy against tobacco and vaping

Health Minister Abdulla Nazim Ibrahim yesterday urged everyone who wish for the health and wellbeing of Maldivians to advocate against smoking and vaping.

Speaking at the launch of a series of UNICEF-led discussions on tobacco prevention and implementation of vape ban, Nazim said it would not be easy to eradicate such long-standing habits.

However, he said, if everyone starts working together, the efforts will be successful.

"My appeal is to everyone who wishes for the health and wellbeing of the country, every citizen to speak sincerely on the issue and become an advocate in this regard. And if all of you work in this mindset, the upcoming challenges will be much easier," he said.

He said that building a healthy generation is a huge responsibility of the state, and added that strengthening preventative healthcare to achieve these goals is an aspiration. As such, the government will train people by the end of next year, Nazim said, highlighting that these efforts will be carried out in a sustainable manner.

According to Nazim, one of the things that needs to be done for a sustainable population is to keep people away from tobacco. He also said that important steps are being taken to achieve this, despite the difficulties in distancing future generations from smoking.

The minister said the ban on importing vape into Maldives from 15th last month and the ban on the use of vape in the country since last Tuesday are among such measures.

In addition, amendments have been made to the law to establish smoking cessation clinics to combat the tobacco epidemic, he said.

"I want to assure you today that no Maldivian citizen who needs the assistance of such a cessation clinic will not be left without the service. People have been trained in the health sector in all island of Maldives," he said.

Nazim said if further clinical assistance is needed, Aasandha will ensure that gum and medicines are available.

Nazim said that when he passes away, his greatest satisfaction as an individual and as a family will be to see his children living a happy life. At that age, he said, there was no hope for anything else.

Although it may take sometime to see the results of the government's measures, the names of those who worked hard will be written in history for a lifetime, he said, urging everyone to take the honour of joining the cause.

UNICEF Representative to Maldives Edward Addai said tobacco and vaping cause serious health damage and recognised the important steps taken by the Maldivian government to build a healthy generation.