WHO continues to support the Government of Maldives in strengthening tobacco control efforts, including through technical support for the development and implementation of the five-year National Anti-Tobacco Campaign, Dhen Huttaalamaa (“Let’s Quit”).
Announced on World No Tobacco Day on 31 May 2026, the five-year national campaign aims to reduce tobacco use and contribute towards a tobacco-free society through sustained, coordinated action. The campaign places emphasis on public awareness, tobacco cessation, stronger implementation of tobacco control measures, and engagement of communities and civil society.
The campaign was officially launched on 27 June 2026 in Meemu Mulaku as part of the national World No Tobacco Day commemoration by First Lady Her Excellency Sajidha Mohamed. WHO Representative to the Maldives Ms Payden joined the First Lady, Minister of Health, Family and Welfare, other national leaders, partners and the community at the launch. WHO reaffirmed its commitment to providing technical support to the initiative to strengthen public awareness, empower communities and further build a tobacco-free culture across the country.
The five-year initiative complements the Maldives’ broader tobacco control efforts and its commitments under the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC). These include strengthened smoke-free policies, restrictions on tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship, measures to reduce access to tobacco products, expanded cessation support, and the country’s landmark generational tobacco ban.
As the campaign moved from launch to implementation, WHO and UNICEF subsequently supported a stakeholder workshop to validate the Dhen Huttaalamaa Campaign Plan. The consultation brought together government institutions, health professionals, representatives from the education and sports sectors, civil society organizations and other partners to review the proposed plan, share perspectives and identify priorities for implementation.
The consultative process is helping ensure that the campaign is informed by evidence, technical expertise and the perspectives of the sectors and communities that will play a role in its implementation. The campaign is expected to strengthen preventive action, support tobacco cessation and mobilize broader participation in tobacco control across the Maldives.
WHO remains committed to supporting the Government of Maldives and national partners in advancing tobacco control through technical guidance, evidence, capacity building and advocacy, while empowering communities to protect current and future generations from the harms of tobacco and nicotine.