During a meeting held at the Ministry of Health today, Minister Abdulla Nazim Ibrahim announced the establishment of a special hotline, 1676, which will be available 24 hours a day to assist those seeking help to quit smoking.
A smoking cessation helpline, "Quit Line," has been established to assist individuals who want to quit smoking.
Cessation services will be available throughout the Maldives, as per a decision made by President Dr Mohamed Muizzu on October 17 last year.
During a meeting held at the Ministry of Health today, Minister Abdulla Nazim Ibrahim announced the establishment of a special hotline, 1676, which will be available 24 hours a day to assist those seeking help to quit smoking.
Nicotine patches and gum, along with other treatment options, will be provided to individuals aiming to quit.
The necessary technical staff for the cessation services have already been trained. Additionally, the government has announced plans to establish tobacco cessation clinics on all islands in the Maldives, with the services expected to be launched across the country in the next few months.
A decision was reached in Sunday's cabinet meeting to formulate a four year plan to phase out tobacco use in the country.
The cabinet's decision is to provide this service under Preventive Healthcare in all medical facilities.
Under these efforts to create a tobacco-free society, prizes are also to be awarded to islands which achieve tobacco-free communities.
The specific rate on tobacco products such as cigarettes have also been raised from MVR 3 to MVR 8, and tobacco ad valorem rate is also to be raised by 50 percent.
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