Maldivian Medical Association Urges Complete Hookah Ban, Expanded Public Health Measures
The Maldivian Medical Association (MMA) has called for a complete ban on hookah, also known as sheesha, describing it as one of the most harmful tobacco products.
The association highlighted that the continued availability of hookah hinders the establishment of fully smoke-free restaurants and dining spaces.
advertisement
advertisement
advertisement
Position statement on NCD prevention. Together we can. pic.twitter.com/nfYXuLAquo— Maldivian Medical Association (@mma_mv) October 2, 2025
The MMA has recommended the institution of fully smoke-free dining establishments, alongside active promotion of these venues as healthier, family-friendly options. The association also urged the government to implement broader measures to control noncommunicable diseases (NCDs).
Proposals include the introduction of clear, front-of-pack “traffic-light” style nutritional labels to support healthier consumer choices, higher excise taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages, palm oil and trans-fat-rich foods, and processed meats. The MMA suggested that these fiscal measures be paired with incentives for local farming and the sale of fruits, vegetables, and other nutritious foods.
Mandatory graphic health warnings illustrating oral cancer risks on arecanut products were also recommended, along with strengthened national initiatives to curb substance abuse through prevention, rehabilitation, and harm-reduction strategies.
The association stressed the importance of sustaining momentum and accelerating the implementation of evidence-based, cost-effective interventions to reduce the burden of tobacco-related diseases and other NCDs.
The MMA commended the Government of Maldives for its decisive actions in tobacco control. Key measures welcomed include the prohibition of electronic cigarettes, raising the legal age for the sale and purchase of tobacco products to 21 years, bans on tobacco advertising, promotion, and sponsorship, and increased taxation on tobacco products to reduce affordability. Expansion of tobacco cessation services nationwide, including integration into health facilities and school health programmes, was also praised.
