President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has last night refuted Health Minister Abdulla Nazim Ibrahim's statement, and clarified that the government has no plans to ban sheesha, cut sugar subsidies or impose a sugar tax.
Speaking at an event held at the Artificial Beach last night to launch ruling People's National Congress (PNC)'s "The Greater Addu" campaign, the President said that the government is taking action on sensitive issues that give rise to differences in opinion amongst the public.
As such, measures have been taken such as banning vapes and other anti-tobacco action. However, the government has no plans to impose additional bans, he said.
"Some people have been upset about something the Health Minister recently said. It was something he said in response to a question from a journalist about the use of tobacco products," the President said.
"I want to make it clear that it is not my policy to introduce additional bans. However, we will work to create awareness," he said.
The President said that the government aims to raise awareness to steer the public away from harmful habits and health-risk behaviours.
"We are not going to ban sheesha. Or cut sugar subsidies. We are not going to do things like that," he assured.
The government, however, hopes to increase awareness in the hopes of deterring such harmful acts, he said.
"When we were young, people used to smoke hookahs. It has become a long standing tradition amongst Maldivians. We cannot stop something that has been around for so long through a ban. However, we can increase awareness, and work systematically to encourage people to give up such habits," he said.
"Nor will we cut subsidies on sugar or increase its price," he added.
According to him, the government plans to make fruits and vegetables more affordable and expand local cultivation.
Speaking at a press conference held last week, Health Minister Nazim responded to a question posed from Mihaaru News and said that as banning additional types of tobacco and imposing taxes on products containing sugar are related to general lifestyles, these matters are regulated under certain policies.
Cutting subsidies and imposing tax on sugar varieties is not something the ministry can do unilaterally, the Minister noted. However, the health sector is awaiting in anticipation of the day such action is enforced, he said.
He stated that discussions are currently underway to ban sheesha, cut sugar subsidies, and impose a tax.
The Doctors' Association has also appealed for a ban on sheesha, and to increase tax on sugary drinks.
