Prevalence of 180 ml arrack flask compromises efforts to control addiction

National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol (NATA) Chairman Dr. Samadhi Rajapaksa recently called for the ban on production and sale of 180 ml arrack flasks to control alcohol addiction. 

NATA Chairman  Dr. Samadhi Rajapaksa

Speaking at a workshop in Colombo, Dr. Rajapaksa noted the World Health Organization listed price controls as an effective control measure. These efforts are thwarted by the local industry producing flasks, which also promotes binge drinking.

Price controls are a highly effective measure globally to control consumption, the WHO says. In Sri Lanka, high prices have regulated the sales of larger bottles of arrack in particular. However, NATA finds some producers maliciously promoting 180 ml flasks, and consumption has risen dramatically in that segment amounting to a significant share of sales islandwide. 

In addition, due to its small size, consumers easily hide these products in clothing and baggage and consume them in flasks at home, public and even work spaces. Market research has shown that up to 30% of arrack sales in the country constitutes of flasks. 

The prevalence and incidence of 180 ml segment has compromised the efforts of the Government and authority to control consumption, and due to the high alcohol content in arrack it poses significant threats to human health as it enables binge drinking. 

There are over 25 licensed manufacturers of arrack in the country, and the Authority reveals that whilst almost all these establishments produce 180 ml flask, only a handful pay taxes to Government through this channel. Accordingly, the overall cost impact to Government and society is significantly high. There is still room for significant increases on tax on spirits in the country.