Minister of Health, Family and Welfare Geela Ali has said the Government is setting its tobacco control targets through broad consultation, technical studies and established evidence to ensure its measures produce results.
She made the remarks while opening a stakeholder consultation meeting on the “Dhen Huttaalaa” tobacco cessation campaign, where she outlined the Government’s approach to building a society protected from tobacco.
Minister Geela said the current Government is giving greater priority than any previous Government to protecting society from the tobacco epidemic. As part of these efforts, the Government has already taken several major decisions and is implementing measures towards achieving its goal.
These measures include the generational tobacco ban and free cessation services across all islands. The Government is also working to increase the participation of civil society organisations in tobacco control efforts.
Minister Geela said the Government determines its targets and milestones after extensive study and consultation. She added that legal and administrative decisions also take technical studies and established evidence into account to ensure the measures produce results and remain sustainable in the long term.
The consultation forms part of this approach, bringing together relevant ministries and institutions, health professionals, representatives from the education sector, and associations and other organisations.
The discussions will contribute to the implementation plan for the Government’s five-year national campaign. The Government launched the “Dhen Huttaalaa” campaign on 27 July and has already determined its policy direction, while the plan currently under development will guide its practical implementation.
Alongside the campaign, the Ministry of Health, Family and Welfare has opened opportunities to provide financial assistance to civil society organisations to increase their participation in tobacco cessation efforts. The Government has also decided to recognise those carrying out such work at the national level.
Minister Geela called on all stakeholders to join the Government in the major national effort. UNICEF, WHO, relevant institutions and technical experts are working together to develop the campaign plan.