Friday Jan 24, 2025
Friday Jan 24, 2025
Friday, 24 January 2025 00:02 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
The Centre for Combatting Tobacco (CCT) together with the Alcohol and Drug Information Centre (ADIC) and the National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol (NATA) yesterday warned that the alcohol, tobacco and cannabis nexus and substance abuse challenge the wellbeing of Sri Lankans.
They also claimed the recent price increase on cigarettes will deliver over Rs. 7 billion in additional profits to the tobacco company, despite volumes dropping to around two billion sticks. They charged tobacco manufacturers globally are looking to promote cannabis production to satisfy their strategic business and profit motives, and warned the Government and its stakeholders to take better note of these measures.
CCT Director Dr. Mahesh Rajasuriya said: “Legalising the cannabis industry supports the cigarette industry. They are marketing electronic products laced with cannabis and other flavoured agents that appeal to women and children, so there must be concerted action against this.” He added many tobacco and cannabinoid companies are joining hands with education, research and health institutions attempting to sanction such products. The forum which included the National Dangerous Drugs Control Board, Sri Lanka Medical Association, Sri Lanka College of Psychiatrists and the College of Community Physicians also condemned any attempts to reduce the price of alcohol, stating this would not necessarily move people away from illicit products, as it could drive the price of illicit products down as well.
SLMA President Dr. Anula Wijesundara remarked that steps are underway to propose draft regulations to restrict access to tobacco products to persons born after 2010. Dr. Wijesundera said the WHO made a landmark declaration in 2023 that no level of alcohol is safe for human health, and therefore Government and its agencies must be cautious of any measures to reduce price of alcohol. Joining the discussion, NATA Chairman Dr. Alan Ludowyke touched on the impacts of oral tobacco consumption, which has led to severe problems with oral cancers and other related diseases. “Tobacco is the world’s largest preventable killer. There is no safe level of use.”
Dangerous Drugs Control Board’s A.T. Darshana presented several statistics that showed over 200% growth in drug abuse, such as methamphetamine, and pointed to the need for serious action in this regard due to widespread use including women and children.
Despite total annual Government earnings from alcohol and tobacco products making up over 15% of tax incomes and often viewed as a cornerstone of the Treasury, the forum was of the view this was not the case.
Pix by Lasantha Kumara
