Sunday
28th Apr 2024
Dhivehi Edition
Director General of Public health
Startling statistics released by the Health Protection Agency (HPA) on World No Tobacco Day have revealed a distressing trend of smoking among children in the Maldives. The data shows that a significant portion of the child population, particularly those aged 13 to 15, are engaged in tobacco use, with an alarming 45.7 percent of students in this age group reported to be tobacco users.
The HPA report highlighted that out of the tobacco users in the specified age range, 48 percent were boys and 43.2 percent were girls. These figures indicate a worrisome increase in tobacco usage among children, compared to the Global Youth Tobacco Survey conducted in 2019, which reported 23.1 percent of boys and 10.7 percent of girls in the same age group using electronic cigarettes. Moreover, the report also revealed that 3.1 percent of children used shisha, with a concerning 14.9 percent of them starting as young as 10 years old.
The study further disclosed that approximately 25.7 percent of the overall population in the Maldives currently smokes tobacco. Shockingly, this means that one in four individuals in the country is a smoker, with a majority of them being men. The report showed a significant gender disparity in smoking prevalence, with 35.6 percent of men being smokers compared to a mere 7.6 percent of women.
The age breakdown presented in the report sheds light on the demographics of smokers in the Maldives. Individuals between the ages of 15 and 29 accounted for 20.1 percent of the smoking population, while those aged 30 to 44 represented 29 percent. The age group of 45 to 65 comprised 23.4 percent of smokers in the country.
The HPA has expressed grave concern over the rising prevalence of smoking among Maldivian youth and has emphasized the urgent need for effective measures to combat this alarming trend. Smoking at such a young age can have severe health consequences and significantly increase the risk of addiction and chronic diseases in adulthood.
Health experts are urging the government, educational institutions, and parents to work collectively in implementing comprehensive tobacco control policies. Measures such as raising awareness about the dangers of smoking, enforcing stricter regulations on tobacco sales, and implementing tobacco cessation programs in schools are essential steps to curbing the rising prevalence of smoking among children.
The HPA's findings underscore the need for immediate action to protect the health and well-being of the younger generation in the Maldives. The consequences of inaction could be dire, resulting in a generation plagued by addiction and preventable health issues.
The study further disclosed that approximately 25.7 percent of the overall population in the Maldives currently smokes tobacco. Shockingly, this means that one in four individuals in the country is a smoker, with a majority of them being men. The report showed a significant gender disparity in smoking prevalence, with 35.6 percent of men being smokers compared to a mere 7.6 percent of women.
The age breakdown presented in the report sheds light on the demographics of smokers in the Maldives. Individuals between the ages of 15 and 29 accounted for 20.1 percent of the smoking population, while those aged 30 to 44 represented 29 percent. The age group of 45 to 65 comprised 23.4 percent of smokers in the country.
The HPA has expressed grave concern over the rising prevalence of smoking among Maldivian youth and has emphasized the urgent need for effective measures to combat this alarming trend. Smoking at such a young age can have severe health consequences and significantly increase the risk of addiction and chronic diseases in adulthood.
Health experts are urging the government, educational institutions, and parents to work collectively in implementing comprehensive tobacco control policies. Measures such as raising awareness about the dangers of smoking, enforcing stricter regulations on tobacco sales, and implementing tobacco cessation programs in schools are essential steps to curbing the rising prevalence of smoking among children.
The HPA's findings underscore the need for immediate action to protect the health and well-being of the younger generation in the Maldives. The consequences of inaction could be dire, resulting in a generation plagued by addiction and preventable health issues.