Govt. nabs 169 online tobacco, alcohol promoters

The Government has nabbed 169 online promoters of tobacco and alcohol in the first eight months of the year, State Finance Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya said.

The investigations were carried out with the support of the cybercrime division of the Excise Department. 

“These apprehensions were conducted with an aim to discourage smoking and drinking, despite many claiming that the Government is heavily dependent on tax revenue generated from both tobacco and alcohol,” State Minister Siyambalapitiya said.

As per the National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol Act No. 27 of 2006, he said the Government is working to discourage the usage of tobacco and alcohol.

“We have introduced a new mobile phone application — VNATA to inform about such direct or indirect online promoters or platforms,” he said adding that they have also started a counselling service for those who are addicted to these substances.

Tax analysts said successive administrations have talked about the implementation of such mechanisms, but in reality, they have not materialised because tobacco and alcohol products are among the top tax gainers for Government coffers.