Minister of Health Abdulla Nazim Ibrahim has won the 2017 World No Tobacco Day Award conferred by the World Health Organization (WHO). Minister Nazim received the award from the South-East Asia Region.
WHO noted the combined effort by the state and the parliament in enforcing a stricter tax regime on tobacco products. Maldives charges 60% as tax from tobacco products, which WHO described as an achievement by South Asia as a whole. The organization also noted the introduction of the Tobacco Cessation Service and the Tobacco Cessation Toolkit the Health Minister introduced.
The Minister also led the 'Choose Life Campaign', to create awareness among the public on the adverse effects of tobacco consumption. Every year, WHO recognizes individuals or organizations in each of the six WHO Regions for their accomplishments in the area of tobacco control.