President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has been awarded the World No-Tobacco Day Special Recognition Award by the World Health Organization (WHO) for his leadership in advancing strong tobacco control policies in the Maldives.

The award was presented on Thursday evening at a special ceremony held in Malé to mark this year’s World Health Day.

In a message from WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, President Muizzu was praised for his "exemplary leadership and commitment to protecting the health of the people of the Maldives."

- Under his leadership, the Maldives has introduced major reforms, including:

- Banning e-cigarettes and e-liquids

- Expanding smoke-free public spaces

- Raising the legal age for tobacco sales to 21

- Prohibiting tobacco advertising and sponsorship

- Launching a nationwide quit programme

- Imposing higher tobacco taxes

- And introducing a generational tobacco ban—prohibiting tobacco sales to anyone born after 2007

The WHO described these actions as a model for other countries and a milestone towards achieving a Smoke-Free Maldives, with long-term benefits for public health.