President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has stated that the government has no plans to ban shisha or reduce subsidies on sugar, signalling a cautious approach to policies that could affect widely consumed products in the Maldives.
The remarks follow comments made last week by Health Minister Abdulla Nazim Ibrahim, who said discussions were taking place across government agencies regarding the health implications of shisha use and sugary drinks. Minister Nazim indicated that any policy response would require coordination across multiple sectors and that raising public awareness was central to the government’s approach.
Speaking at a ceremony held at the Artificial Beach to launch “The Greater Addu”, the ruling People’s National Congress manifesto for Addu, the President clarified that the administration does not intend to prohibit shisha smoking or remove subsidies on sugar. Instead, he said the government’s approach would focus on encouraging people to reduce consumption through awareness rather than regulatory bans.
The position presents an interesting contrast with other public health policies introduced during the current administration. The government has taken a notably strict stance on tobacco control, introducing a ban on vaping products and increasing taxes on cigarettes. A landmark “tobacco free generation” law also began implementation last year, prohibiting tobacco use for individuals born in or after 2007.
Those measures placed the Maldives among a small group of countries experimenting with generational tobacco bans aimed at gradually eliminating smoking. Against that backdrop, the government’s reluctance to restrict shisha use or reconsider sugar subsidies has prompted questions about the consistency of the country’s broader public health strategy.
Shisha smoking remains common in the Maldives, including among younger age groups, while sugary drinks and foods high in refined sugar continue to be widely consumed. Health advocates have long warned that these habits contribute to rising rates of non-communicable diseases, including diabetes and cardiovascular illness.
Last October, the Maldivian Medical Association called for stronger measures to address these risks. The association urged the government to increase taxes on sugary beverages and foods high in palm oil and trans fats, and to introduce a full ban on flavoured tobacco products and shisha. According to the organisation, such policies could help reduce preventable illnesses linked to lifestyle-related risk factors.
The debate is particularly relevant given the government’s role in controlling the prices of certain staple foods. Sugar is among the commodities subsidised through the State Trading Organisation, with the government spending significant sums each year to keep prices lower for consumers.
While the subsidy is intended to support affordability, critics argue that maintaining subsidies on products with known health risks may undermine public health objectives. Some economists and health experts have suggested that policies aimed at encouraging healthier diets might instead prioritise making nutritious foods more affordable.
The President indicated that the administration intends to move in that direction by facilitating the production of healthier foods, including fruits and vegetables, and improving their availability at affordable prices.
The policy discussion now appears to be shifting toward whether awareness campaigns alone will be sufficient to change consumption patterns, or whether fiscal and regulatory measures may eventually become part of the government’s long-term strategy.
