Mauritius commemorated World No-Tobacco Day on 02 June 2025, engaging nursing, medical, and university students in a campaign aimed at raising awareness about the tobacco industry's evolving marketing tactics—particularly those targeting young people. The event sought to alert the youth to the dangers of new nicotine products and strategies designed to initiate addiction and promote harmful smoking habits.
Participants were warned about flavoured tobacco and nicotine products, which are engineered to reduce the harshness of tobacco and increase its appeal. Special attention was drawn to the rise of electronic nicotine delivery systems and other sophisticated, attractive devices that are aggressively marketed to young people, luring them into addiction at the expense of their health and future.
Minister of Health and Wellness, Hon. Anil Kumar Bachoo, reaffirmed his unwavering commitment to combating the tobacco epidemic in Mauritius. He highlighted the government's ongoing efforts to prevent smoking initiation and to support those seeking to quit. The Minister proudly referenced the WHO Director-General’s Special Recognition Award, which he received from Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus at the 78th World Health Assembly in May 2025, acknowledging Mauritius’ global leadership in tobacco control.
“We shall leave no stone unturned to make Mauritius a country where no one dies from a preventable disease,” declared Minister Bachoo.
