Pres. Muizzu opens public poll on tobacco ban dates, excludes alternative proposals
The President of Maldives, Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, has initiated a public poll to determine a generational ban on tobacco use
President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu in the "Rayyithunnaa eku" podcast
President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has personally created a public poll to determine a generational ban to discourage tobacco use.
The poll opened by President Muizzu, who is currently in the United Kingdom, marks the first time a Maldivian President has sought public opinion through social media during their term, outside of legal and regulatory frameworks and without any prior research.
Taking to social media platform ‘X’ on Thursday, the president presented his proposed options for implementing a generational ban in a bid to protect the health of youth and future generations from the harmful effects of smoking.
He has asked the public to choose from among these options, without providing an opportunity to submit alternative suggestions.
The options proposed by the President for the generational ban are:
- Ban tobacco use for all children born on and after 1 January 2007
- Ban tobacco use for all children born on and after 1 January 2004
- Ban tobacco use for all children born on and after 1 January 2000
Speaking on the second episode of "Rayyithunnaa Eku" which translated means “With the Citizens” podcast series, where he answers public questions, the president revealed on April 2 that he had instructed relevant authorities to seek advice from doctors and other relevant parties in preparing the cabinet paper on the matter.
The president explained that the rationale behind proposing these three options is that it would be easier to save people aged between 18 and 25, or the youth, from this epidemic in a shorter period of time.
