Mohamed Muizzu, President of the Maldives, has clarified that the government has no plans to cut sugar subsidies or introduce a sugar tax, distancing the administration from recent remarks by Health Minister Abdulla Nazim Ibrahim, The edition reported.
Speaking at the launch of the “Greater Addu” campaign organised by the ruling People’s National Congress at Artificial Beach on Sunday night, President Muizzu said the government would not introduce additional bans but would instead focus on raising public awareness about health risks.
The President’s remarks came after comments by Health Minister Abdulla Nazim Ibrahim sparked debate over potential restrictions on sheesha and possible fiscal measures on sugar consumption.
“Some people have been upset about something the Health Minister recently said,” Muizzu said, noting that the minister had been responding to a journalist’s question about tobacco use.
“I want to make it clear that it is not my policy to introduce additional bans. However, we will work to create awareness,” he said.
Muizzu stressed that the government’s approach would be to discourage harmful habits through education rather than prohibition.
“We are not going to ban sheesha. Or cut sugar subsidies. We are not going to do things like that,” he said, adding that such practices have long been embedded in Maldivian social culture.
The President also said the government would instead focus on improving access to healthier food options, including making fruits and vegetables more affordable and encouraging local cultivation.
The clarification follows comments made by Health Minister Nazim during a recent press conference, where he said discussions were underway on potential measures including banning sheesha, cutting sugar subsidies and introducing taxes on sugary products.
Nazim had noted that such policy decisions could not be implemented unilaterally by the health ministry but would require broader government action.
Meanwhile, the Maldives Doctors’ Association has also urged the government to consider banning sheesha and increasing taxes on sugary drinks as part of efforts to address lifestyle-related health risks.
