Every year the Government releases many statements and campaigns on not smoking. Additionally, the Government had imposed heavy fines and duties on cigarettes.
However, the question begs to be asked if the Government really wishes to impose a ban on cigarettes.
The question arises when we look at the community and the surroundings.
Even though Maldives, to an extent has failed on curbing the issue of smoking, many developed and developing nations had banned public smoking successfully. Public smoking is banned in Beijing, China, and in certain states in Sri Lanka and India.
When China first implemented laws on public smoking ban, the Government announced for volunteers to identify public smokers. China did not go for no smoking boards like that in Maldives.
In Maldives it is up to the Boards to carry out reporting and the mandated fines for the transgressors. There is no individual citizen who would take up the issue.
Does the Government have any intention curbing smoking?
