President Urges the Public to Quit Smoking on the Occasion of World No-Tobacco Day

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has spoken to the nation on the occasion of World No-Tobacco Day being observed today. The day is celebrated on May 31 every year aimed at advocating global attention to the tobacco pandemic and the preventable death and diseases caused by it.  
 
In his statement, the President highlighted the greater benefit of quitting smoking for both smokers and non-smokers alike, leading up to healthier and happier households in general. It would serve as a welcome relief toward the financial burdens on the household, he added. The President also touched on the current global pandemic that has been a turning point in the recent times in all of our lives. It has forced us to reevaluate our choices and consider a healthier lifestyle for the sake of better health and welfare.  
 
President Solih noted that the deadly habit is scientifically proven to facilitate serious non-communicable illnesses ranging from lung disease and diabetes, to cancer. World Health Organisation (WHO) had released statistics reporting that 8 million people die worldwide every year due to the harmful effects of smoking. Accordingly, the President encouraged the all smokers to stop the risky and expensive habit. 
 
Further along the conversation, the President added details regarding the toll taken by Covid-19 on smokers based on recent studies. Smokers' weakened lungs and respiratory functions make them severely vulnerable to the effects of Covid-19, as it is a virus that attacks the host's respiratory system. Smokers are more likely to lose their lives to the illness than non-smokers. 
 
President Solih ended his statement with a prayer to Almighty Allah to give all smokers the resolution to end the destructive habit, and to bless the efforts to curb the spread of Covid-19 in the country.