World Health Organization honored President Dr Mohamed Muizzu with the World No-Tobacco Day Special Recognition Award, acknowledging his exemplary leadership and steadfast commitment to protecting public health in the Maldives through robust tobacco control measures.
The award was announced with an official message from WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, who praised President Muizzu for his “exemplary leadership and commitment to protecting the health of the people of the Maldives.”
Under President Muizzu’s leadership, the Maldives has made significant progress in advancing tobacco control through a series of landmark policy reforms. These include ratifying a major amendment to the Tobacco Control Law, expanding smoke-free spaces across the country, and banning e-cigarettes, e-liquids, and other emerging nicotine products. The government has also raised the legal age for tobacco sales to 21, prohibited all forms of tobacco advertising and sponsorship, introduced higher taxation on tobacco products to reduce affordability, and established a nationwide cessation programme providing free support services at every health facility.
WHO commended these efforts as a national milestone and a powerful example for other countries seeking to curb tobacco use and mitigate its devastating health impacts and described the Maldives’ vision for a Smoke-Free Maldives as one that will save lives and improve the health and wellbeing of current and future generations.
President Dr Muizzu’s recognition underscores the Maldives’ growing leadership in public health and its strong policy response to the global tobacco epidemic. The award was formally conferred during the World Health Day 2025 ceremony, held under the theme “Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures.”