According to the statement published on the official President's Office website, it's stated that the reward, once approved, would be deposited directly into the bank accounts of all residents of participating islands.
The President's Office
The current administration, led by President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has been implementing several initiatives in order to create a tobacco and smoke-free society in the Maldives. In the latest cabinet meeting, President Dr Mohamed Muizzu directed the Cabinet to explore offering a financial reward to residents of islands that achieve a complete cessation of tobacco use.
The President took to X (formerly known as Twitter), to announce that he has instructed the relevant ministers to study the proposal and to prepare an implementation paper.
Within the works being done towards creating a healthy tobacco-free society, in the Cabinet meeting held this week, the relevant ministers have been advised to prepare and submit a paper on a study to give cash rewards or incentives to residents of islands that achieve a complete cessation of tobacco use.
According to the statement published on the official President's Office website, it's stated that the reward, once approved, would be deposited directly into the bank accounts of all residents of participating islands.
This is one of the few initiatives that the administration is working on implementing to create a healthy future for the Maldivian society. With this vision, the Maldives has already seen the ratification of the second amendment to Law No. 15/2010, the Tobacco Control Act, on May 21, 2025. The legislation establishes a generational ban on tobacco use and will take effect in November. It prohibits the sale of tobacco products to individuals born on or after January 1, 2007, effectively phasing out tobacco use among future generations.
Additional measures by the administration also include steps towards creating tobacco-free zones, banning the import and possession of equipment used to manufacture e-cigarettes and vapes, raising the legal age for purchasing tobacco to 21, banning tobacco advertising and sponsorships, and increasing taxes on tobacco products.
President Dr Muizzu's commitment to tackling the nation’s key challenges, a commitment he continues to demonstrate through policy and action has also led to, the World Health Organization presenting President Dr Muizzu with a special award on this year’s World No Tobacco Day.
