President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih on Wednesday appealed to smokers to abandon their smoking habits and redirect the allocated funds towards supporting their families.
When duty was raised from tobacco products and prices soared, many smokers moved on to using products like vapes and shisha instead of giving up the habit.
In a statement issued on World No Tobacco Day, Solih acknowledged the significant associations between tobacco consumption and several perilous non-communicable diseases (NCDs) prevalent within the community.
“On this day, every smoker must aim to prioritise their well-being, along with that of their loved ones and the broader community, by giving up tobacco usage,” Solih stated.
“You must stop smoking for your own well-being. For the well-being of your wife, children and family. And for the safety of your close friends and colleagues.”
The World Health Organization’s (WHO) theme for this year's No Tobacco Day is "Grow Food, Not Tobacco.”
The theme aims to foster awareness regarding alternative agricultural practices and marketing avenues for tobacco cultivators.
Reflecting on the theme, Solih underlined the importance of cultivating sustainable and nutritious crops, encouraging tobacco farmers to explore such viable alternatives.
He highlighted the importance of smoking cessation in minimizing the risk of health complications for individuals close to smokers.
Solih expressed that the financial resources saved through smoking cessation possess the potential to contribute towards aiding individuals afflicted by severe illnesses.
He further stressed the significant annual expenditure on tobacco production and distribution, amounting to billions of dollars, while underscoring the prevailing challenges of poverty and famine in various regions worldwide.
