Here’s something that we, the Maldivians, can draw a great lesson from. Since smoking was banned in public places in New York, five years ago, more than quarter of a million people in the city have stopped smoking, according to recently released statistics. This has also dramatically reduced the number of people dying from smoking-related illnesses.
If we ban smoking in public places in the Maldives we could indeed dramatically reduce the number of smokers and reduce the number of people dying from smoking-related illnesses. Many European and even Asian countries have imposed this regulation of banning smoking in public places and they are drawing immense monetary and social benefits for this.
This could save us million of Rufiyaa in reduced imports of cigarettes and also save us millions of Rufiyaa in healthcare for smoking-related illnesses. The savings would be used by the state for investing in social infrastructure and the individual savings could be used by the individuals as pure savings. The improved health could mean more productivity. Hence we call upon the new government to ban smoking in public places and achieve the above-mentioned benefits for the country.
It would not work miracles in Maldives as or if it did in America. The society here and in America is very different.
ReplyDeleteMay be we could enhance the awareness first. There have been many awareness programmes already and i think its a deeper and bigger social problem than just smoking.
there is a whole community out there, doing nothing but mope around all day. they tend to resort to somekind of addiction to kill the time and have a coffee.
Its a bigger problem than you'd dream! i wish there would be 500% tax on Cigaretts and tobacco in general. And the same Ban should be imposed on Areca nuts and betle leaf for it is worse than smoking. Its a drug as well, if you must know and i do not know why Adathalath Khaleefa's do not talk about it. i mean they certainly seem to be very against alcohol or any other kind of drug, but no mention of our traditional dufun with huni, dhuffaiy and smoke:))
We can only ban smoking in public places only if can ban smoking in government offices. The current administration has violated the regulation on the ban of smoking inside the premises of government offices. We must first ban this, and talk about banning smoking in elsewhere.
ReplyDeleteWhy don't we all call for a ban of spitting on the street of Male'?
ReplyDeleteThis is not a ban smoking in public vicinity; this may perhaps be a opportunity to discipline our citizens. Look at Sri lanka for an instance. People are much better than this so called 100% MALDIV IANS, they carry out and listen to community who are responsible in administrate system in their nation state, they recognize its with the purpose of the betterment of all the people. Godless our country
ReplyDeleteI think you are suppose to write about political issues in the country and the other side of the government instead of supporting them... seems like Anni has offered a huge gift to you, nowadays you dont even think about politcs... Fuck is wrong with you Bush? I always liked your articles. Now i dont even think of opening any of your blog. Yesterday it was about the freaking Indian millionaire Sonu. Today it's about regional foot ball, and asking to follow this blog. It's total bullshit. Now I would rather say go fuk your self....
ReplyDeleteWhen the president on this nation happily smokes away in his presidential office, how can you ban it anywhere???? Enter into this office. It smells like a den in a night club. The smell of burning tobacco every where. Does our president know that passive smoking is as dangerous. Why is he subjecting the people who work in this office to the risk of cancer by his acts. Is that how he loves his country men??????????????? Can some one save our souls and this nation
ReplyDeleteDONT SMOKE
ReplyDeleteI have been looking into cancer causes in the Maldives. I would say the main causes are Human papilloma virus 16 and 18. Smoking, areca nuts and betel leaves ( particularly if processed ). Also, a lack of vit A and iodine are factors.
ReplyDelete