Vice President Faisal Naseem has on Sunday met with members of the Health Committee and enquired on updates regarding programmes to phase out smoking in the Maldives, including gradually prohibiting smoking in public spaces in Male’ and other islands. The Minister of Health, Ahmed Naseem, also attended the meeting.

During the aforementioned meeting, held at the President’s Office, the committee members provided updates on their work to the Vice President and gave a presentation. Members also discussed proposing amendments to the existing Tobacco Control Act of the Maldives, implementing anti-smoking regulations, launching anti-smoking campaigns, and steering these efforts in a coordinated manner.

The Vice President urged committee members to expedite short-term achievable projects and conduct these projects in gradual phases.