Muizzu Calls on Public to Let Go of Smoking on World Cancer Day

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu today urged the citizens of the Maldives to work towards quitting smoking.

In a post made on X to celebrate World Cancer Day, Muizzu said smoking is one of the biggest cancer risk factors.

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“Since smoking is one of the biggest risk factors for cancer, let’s all decide to let go of this bad habit on World Cancer Day,” he said in Dhivehi. 

ކެންސަރު ބަލި ޖެހުމަށް މެދުވެރިވާ އެންމެ ބޮޑު އެއް ސަބަބަކީ ދުންފަތުގެ އިސްތިޢުމާލު ކުރުމުން ކަމުގައިވާތީ، ދުނިޔޭގެ ކެންސަރު ބަލީގެ ދުވަހުގައި މި ނުބައި އާދައިން ދުރުވުމަށް ޢަޒުމް ކަނޑައަޅަމާތޯ! pic.twitter.com/dlLf48nuGS— Dr Mohamed Muizzu (@MMuizzu) February 4, 2025

In the post made by the President’s Office, he noted this year’s theme for Cancer Day “United by Unique,” which highlights the uniqueness of every individual’s cancer journey. 

“In our steadfast efforts to combat possible cancer contributors, the recent ban on electronic cigarettes and the strengthening of tobacco control legislation and policies, including free cessation services demonstrates our unwavering dedication to safeguard our people from potential cancer risk factors,” Muzzu said.

He also noted that the Maldives is currently on track to achieving the global and regional goal of eliminating five different types of cancer as a public health concern by 2030. Currently, screening for five different types of common cancers are available in the Maldives, he said. 

“Additionally, the Government is actively working on establishing a specialised cancer facility and expanding palliative care services across the country to ensure accessibility to comprehensive care,” Muizzu said, noting the administration’s plans to advance cancer treatment in the country.

He said efforts are underway to expand palliative care services across the country to ensure accessibility to comprehensive care.