A civil voice for tobacco control
BREATHE is an independent Maldivian civil-society organisation for tobacco and nicotine control. We produce research and policy papers, monitor tobacco industry interference, and work with government, Parliament and communities to protect the gains of the past two decades.
Hold the line on tobacco control
To protect and advance evidence-based tobacco control in the Maldives through independent research, policy advocacy and public engagement, insulated from the political and fiscal cycles that have reversed past gains.
Strong laws. No one watching the line full-time.
The Maldives has legislated faster and further on tobacco than almost any country: a generational ban, a full e-cigarette ban and an outright advertising ban. Yet adult smoking has stayed largely flat, an illicit market has overtaken the legal one, and in July 2026 Parliament reversed the tax increase that underpinned the reform.
Every existing body that touches tobacco control has a mandate that stops short of independent, full-time oversight. BREATHE was founded to fill that gap.
| Body | Mandate | Limitation |
|---|---|---|
| National Tobacco Control Board | Government coordinating body | Cannot monitor the state's own decisions |
| Health NGOs, generally | Broad health advocacy across many causes | Tobacco is one priority among many |
| Ministry of Health | Policy design and implementation | Part of the same fiscal and political cycle |
| BREATHE | Article 5.3 monitoring, research and policy papers | Tobacco and nicotine control is our only mandate |
What BREATHE stands for
Our symbol is a Maldivian atoll with an opening at the top: a breath released. Our colours come from the lagoon, the reef and the sandbank.
- BBuilding
- RResearch
- EEvidence
- AAdvocacy for
- TTobacco-free
- HHealth
- EEverywhere
No tobacco money. No conflicts of interest.
In line with Article 5.3 of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, BREATHE accepts no funding from the tobacco or nicotine industry or its affiliates. Our findings and proposals are our own.
Board and registration
BREATHE is being registered as a civil-society organisation in the Maldives. Our founding board and governance charter will be published here once registration is complete.
Contact us if you would like to support BREATHE's work.