The World Health Organization (WHO) has conferred a 2017 No Tobacco Day Award to the Minister of Health, Abdulla Nazim, in recognition of the government’s contributions to tobacco control.

In a statement on Wednesday, the international ‘no tobacco day’, the WHO commended Nazim and the current government for spearheading various tobacco control regulations and cessation medication.

The WHO noted several contributions Minister Nazim had made, including his support for the Regional Bureau of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FTCC) and including tobacco cessation medication in Aasandha, Maldives’ universal health care scheme.

It had also noted the government decision to hike taxes on tobacco products and ban smoking in public spaces.

“It is important to reaffirm our commitment address tobacco’s threat to public health and sustainable development, the WHO assures its highest commitment to the Maldivian government to ensure tobacco free generations to come” the statement further read.