President Receives WHO Director-General Special Award for Tobacco Control Efforts
President Dr Mohamed Muizzu at the MNDF’s 133rd anniversary event on 21 April, 2025 | Photo: President’s Office
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has awarded President Dr Mohamed Muizzu with the WHO Director-General Special Award for his contributions to tobacco control, yesterday.
Each year, WHO honours individuals and organisations from each of the six WHO regions for their outstanding contributions to tobacco control. This year, President Muizzu received the “WHO Director-General Special Award,” in addition to the Ministry of Health and Wellness, Republic of Mauritius.
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Other awards given include the World No Tobacco Day Awards, and, in 2025, one WHO
President Muizzu’s most recognised contribution to tobacco control includes banning the sale, purchase, import, and free distribution of vapes and e-cigarettes last year, and introducing a generation ban this year, prohibiting the sale, purchase, and use of tobacco products for individuals born on or after January 1, 2007.
Earlier this month, Parliament passed new amendments to the Tobacco Act, introducing a generation ban. The amendment also prohibits the use of tobacco production machinery, aiming to prevent the local manufacture of tobacco products and to tighten control over unregulated tobacco processing.
In addition, the legal age for tobacco sales has been raised from 18 to 21.
