The Health Ministry have launched efforts to increase the tax on energy and fizzy drinks.
At the ceremony held to launch the evaluation framework monitoring the milestones set for the Maldivian health industry, the State Minister of Health, Hussain Rasheed said that decisions have already been made to increase the tax on tobacco and energy drinks, and confirmed that these laws will be implemented within the year.
The government has recently banned the sale of energy drinks at medical facilities, the state hospital and schools.
Chief government lawmaker Ahmed Nihan Hussain Manik said the first act of the Parliament after it reconvenes would be to increase the tax on cigarettes.
Hussein Rasheed further said that efforts were ongoing to make the parks fit for public health, and revealed that Maldives had set 17 milestones for the health industry.
He also said that the lone work of the health industry could not bring much change, but that cooperation from all sectors were needed to bring about the desired result.
The discussions launched on Wednesday will see talks on the milestones set for the health industry, and other areas in which to provide help to the public. A total of 65 people from various institutions are taking part in this event.
