President speaks of Govt.’s effective measures to control alcohol, tobacco and drug use

President Maithripala Sirisena has said the Government has taken effective measures to prevent and control the use of alcohol, tobacco, and other harmful drugs in the country.

Speaking at the inauguration of International Organization of Good Templars (IOGT) International 165th Anniversary Celebration Conference in Kandy, President Sirisena said as a former Minister of Health he understood the necessity for effective policies, laws and regulations to control the harmful effects of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs on society and has taken measures to curtail their abuse.

President Sirisena noted that Sri Lanka’s remarkable position as the first country in Asia, and the fourth in the world, to ratify the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) and other achievements in the field of prevention of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs will inspire the attendees to the conference.

The President said he has established a Presidential Task Force to eradicate the drug menace and he is personally involved in the activities of the task force.

He said the establishment of the National Authority of Tobacco and Alcohol (NATA) and enforcement of NATA Act are very significant.

The government has also implemented 80% of pictorial warnings in all tobacco packs and very recently increased the taxes on tobacco, as it is one of the most effective ways of discouraging initiation, he added.

The President recalled the many challenges he faced as a young Opposition Member of Parliament working with ADIC in the 1980s when he proposed to implement the pictorial health warning on tobacco packs in Sri Lanka.

“I am certain that this conference would initiate fruitful dialogue among all the delegates and contribute towards more effective and efficient alcohol prevention and policies,” the President said.

President Sirisena congratulated the IOGT International on their tremendous efforts and achievements in promoting a life for all human beings to be free from harm caused by alcohol and other drugs, and Alcohol and Drug Information Centre (ADIC) for hosting the Conference.

The IOGT 21st Century Alcohol Prevention and Policy Conference under the theme ‘Shattering Myths, Innovating Prevention, Boosting Development’ is being held from 31 October to 4 November at the Mahaweli Reach Hotel in Kandy.

The conference, which serves as an idea incubator, leadership hub and discussion forum, is looking at alcohol policy of the 21st Century, focusing on what is required to combat the alcohol problem altogether. More than 80 participants from 22 countries are participating in the conference.

Central Province Chief Minister Sarath Ekanayake, National Authority of Tobacco and Alcohol Chairman Dr. Palitha Abeykoon, Director of Presidential Task Force on Drugs Samantha Kithalawaarachchi, International President of IOGT Kristina Sperkova, Executive Director Esbjörn Hörnberg, Chairman of ADIC Mahesh Rajasooriya and Executive Director of ADIC Pubudu Sumanasekara were among those present.