President Proposes Cash Incentive for Smoke-Free Island Communities
A no-smoking sign | Photo: MV+
President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has directed relevant ministers to draft and submit a proposal exploring the introduction of a cash reward or incentive for island communities where the entire population has quit smoking.
In a post shared on X today, President Muizzu said the initiative aims to promote healthier, smoke-free communities across the Maldives. His proposal includes depositing a cash reward directly into the bank accounts of all individuals in an island community that successfully gives up smoking.
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Further details regarding the proposed incentive scheme have not yet been disclosed.
ދުންފަތުގެ އިސްތިއުމާލު ކުރުމުން ދުރުހެލިވެފައިވާ ދުޅަހެޔޮ މުޖުތަމަޢަކަށް ހެދުމަށް ކުރެވޭ މަސައްކަތުގެ ތެރެއިން، ދުންފަތުގެ އިސްތިއުމާލުކުރުން އެއްކޮށް ހުއްޓާލާ ރަށްރަށުގެ އާބާދީގެ ކޮންމެ ރައްޔިތެއްގެ ބޭންކް އެކައުންޓަށް ޖަމާކޮށްދޭ ފައިސާގެ އިނާމެއް ނުވަތަ އިނާޔަތެއް ދިނުމާ ގުޅޭ…— Dr Mohamed Muizzu (@MMuizzu) June 24, 2025
This proposal follows the series of steps the current administration has taken in an attempt to controlling tobacco use in the Maldives, which includes reforms such as amendments to the Tobacco Control Law, expansion of smoke-free public areas, a nationwide ban on e-cigarettes and e-liquids, and raising the legal age for tobacco purchases to 21. Last month, President Muizzu was recognised by the World Health Organisation (WHO), which awarded him the World No-Tobacco Day Special Recognition Award.
