The Maldivian Cabinet reached key decisions to strengthen public awareness of the risks of tobacco and nicotine, advance plans for the generational smoking ban, and drive development projects forward, including setting targets to select only tobacco-free athletes for the national teams
The President's Office said that during the cabinet meeting on Sunday, 16 August 2026, the Cabinet received updates from the Sub-Committee tasked with leading the national awareness campaign on tobacco and nicotine hazards and reviewing cigarette import tariffs.
It said that the Cabinet decided to channel the generational ban through the school system as part of the national campaign, with the Ministry of Health, Family, and Welfare leading the effort, working closely with the Ministry of Education, Higher Education, and Skills Development, and establishing an oversight mechanism for the campaign.
The President's Office further said that to ensure active grassroots engagement across the country, the Ministry of Health will appoint a community focal point on every inhabited island in the Maldives.
The opening phase of the campaign will bring on board at least one civil society organisation from each atoll, as well as several organisations across the Greater Malé area.
The Cabinet also moved to broaden the campaign's reach by partnering with local youth associates and sports figures. To this end, dedicated targets will be set to ensure athletes remain entirely tobacco-free, supporting a broader requirement that only tobacco-free athletes may represent national teams.
