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Booze, fags kill over 40,000 Lankans annually  

In Sri Lanka 20,000 persons die of liquor addiction annually and another 20,000 die from smoking. Altogether 40,000 persons die from consuming liquor and tobacco annually.

The tsunami killed 40,000 persons, but liquor and alcohol kills the same number of people annually, Dr. Neil Fernando, Consultant Psychiatrist, Angoda Mental Hospital said. . . .

What parents should do is to educate them on the negative impacts of tobacco and alcohol consumption when they get curious.

According to Dr. Fernando, multinational companies conduct very effective regular researches on winning more and more customers for their alcohol and tobacco products and targeting all age groups especially children under the age of 7.

Children below the age of seven do not have the ability to measure something and get both sides of the actual story.

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• Industry gimmick to entice youth to smoking  

Questions have been raised whether the Tobacco industry has resorted to distributing free cigarettes in order to promote the habit of smoking among youth.

The Chairman of the National Authority on Tobacco & Alcohol (NATA) Prof. Carlo Fonseka in a letter to Daily News refers to an incident which took place in front of a restaurant in Colombo as an example, which was personally witnessed by NATA officials, and describes it as a fragrant violations of the NATA Act.

According to Prof. Fonseka around 8.00 pm on July 28, NATA officials after being alerted had visited and witnessed the free distribution of cigarettes by a group of about 10, including young women in front of a restaurant in Fife road, Colombo 5.

The activity had been carried out to the accompaniment of loud music calculated to draw maximum attention. . . .

Thus Prof. Fonseka points out that this incident was a clear violation of the Act No.27 of 2006 and that relevant officials should take prompt action to bring the violators to book and take steps to prevent a recurrence of such incidents in the future.

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The Role of Media for Tobacco Control 

"To deliver a health message effectively and in confidence it should consist of 3 significant factors, viz. authoritative, comprehensive and clear. The nature has gifted the human brain with science to be authoritative, religion to be ethical and art to address the wisdom with our feelings. If we use all these factors we may deliver a strong message to the society”, said Professor Carlo Fonseka, the Chairman of the National Alcohol and Tobacco Authority addressing the media on “How to deliver an effective health message to the public". Professor Fonseka said so addressing a workshop organized by Jeewaka Foundation for media personnel held in Colombo, to evaluate their contribution for tobacco control during the recent past. . . .

Dr. Somatunga requested the media personnel to raise awareness on the importance of creating smoke-free public places and on tax policies to increase cigarette prices. "According to a World Bank report, it is through high tax policies that the prevalence of smoking among low income people could be reduced. Help every moment to reduce smoking prevalence; even 10 good journalists can do wonders!"

"The media has the power to make Sri Lanka good or bad. Really speaking, media personnel are more important than politicians." Said Dr. D.V.J. Harsichandra, the Consultant Psychiatrist.

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CTC contributes 50 billion in taxes CSR front runner in its success 

Ceylon Tobacco Company (CTC), ranked within top ten companies in commercial standing continues to attract attention. Particularly because its focus on corporate social responsibility (CSR) and its definable people base propelled its reputation to its rank in corporate positioning.

The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce recognized its focus on CSR placing it within top ten corporate citizens in Sri Lanka.

The CSR report of the company reported active association at national level covering disaster relief, irrigation, rural village development, housing, and environmental conservation. Also included of recent origin poverty alleviation. The report said CTCs projects fall within the areas empowerment and sustainable development.

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World Cancer Day falls on February 4  

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) 12.5 per cent deaths worldwide are caused by cancer, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria.

The WHO report also indicates that there were 10.1 million cancer patients in 2000 and among them 6.2 million deaths were reported. During the period 22.4 million lived with cancer. The report also states that there will be 20 million cancer patients in the world by 2020.

Cancer is a rapidly growing epidemic. It occurs when certain cells of the body grow and multiply at abnormal and uncontrollable rates. Cancer often forms as a tumour which is a mass of cancerous cells.

Cancer cells may also circulate through the blood. Cancerous cells may also spread to other parts of the body, which is known as metastasis.

In a recent interview with the Chairman, Education Committee of the Sri Lanka Cancer Society and retired Judge, Walter Ladduwahetty said there were different types of cancers and each should be treated differently.

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In Sri Lanka- Tobacco kills 20,000 people annually | 

"About 11,000 prosecutions have been made in regard to violation of the regulations of the Tobacco and Alcohol Act during the year 2007 and about 17 million rupees have been collected in the form of fines," said, Professor Carlo Fonseka, the Chairman of the National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol (NATA), addressing a gathering at the BMICH at a ceremony held parallel to the exhibition organized by the Medical faculty of the Sri Jayawardenapura University, Nugegoda.

He added: "However, I believe that education is the best way to reduce tobacco and alcohol consumption than prosecution."

The NATA Chairman revealed that according to a press statement of the tobacco company, the total sales of tobacco during the 9 months from January 1st to September 30th of 2008 had significantly lowered.

According to the Commissioner General of Excise, the production of alcohol too had declined for the first time in recent history in the year 2008.

In Sri Lanka tobacco kills about 20,000 people, a year.

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• Tobacco faces smoking death case  

The Court of Appeal in a landmark judgment delivered on Thursday held that a widow from Sevagama, Polonnaruwa had cause of action to claim compensation from Ceylon Tobacco Company Ltd. for the death of her husband who died of cancer due to smoking cigarettes.

The Bench comprised Justices L.K. Wimalachandra and Eric Basnayaka. The judgment, while dismissing the appeal of Ceylon Tobacco Company Ltd., affirmed the order of the Colombo District Court, given earlier in favour of the widow.

P. Lalitha Padmini Fernando’s husband Cecil Perera, who was a tailor by profession, prior to his death from lung cancer, filed a case against the Ceylon Tobacco Company.

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27,000 tobacco related deaths in Sri Lanka every year 

Consumption of tobacco and related products claims 5.4 million lives annually throughout the world, of which 27,000 lives are lost in Sri lanka.

The worldwide death toll is projected to rise to eight million by 2030 due to the rise in tobacco use and the bulk of it would take place in the developing countries, a leading NGO said here.

"While 5.4 million persons lose their lives worldwide due to use of tobacco related products every year, in Sri Lanka 27,000 people die due to its consumption every year", Gallage Punyawardana of Swarna Hansa Foundation said.

Pressing for the implementation of the Global Tobacco Treaty, which requires ratifying countries to protect their health policies from interference by "Big Tobacco," he said it could help prevent about 200 million lives by the year 2050.

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27,000 tobacco related deaths in Sri Lanka every year 

Consumption of tobacco and related products claims 5.4 million lives annually throughout the world, of which 27,000 lives are lost in Sri lanka. The worldwide death toll is projected to rise to eight million by 2030 due to the rise in tobacco use and the bulk of it would take place in the developing countries, a leading NGO said here.

"While 5.4 million persons lose their lives worldwide due to use of tobacco related products every year, in Sri Lanka 27,000 people die due to its consumption every year", Gallage Punyawardana of Swarna Hansa Foundation said.

Pressing for the implementation of the Global Tobacco Treaty, which requires ratifying countries to protect their health policies from interference by "Big Tobacco," he said it could help prevent about 200 million lives by the year 2050.

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27,000 tobacco related deaths in Sri Lanka every year 

Consumption of tobacco and related products claims 5.4 million lives annually throughout the world, of which 27,000 lives are lost in Sri lanka. The worldwide death toll is projected to rise to eight million by 2030 due to the rise in tobacco use and the bulk of it would take place in the developing countries, a leading NGO said here.

"While 5.4 million persons lose their lives worldwide due to use of tobacco related products every year, in Sri Lanka 27,000 people die due to its consumption every year", Gallage Punyawardana of Swarna Hansa Foundation said.

Pressing for the implementation of the Global Tobacco Treaty, which requires ratifying countries to protect their health policies from interference by "Big Tobacco," he said it could help prevent about 200 million lives by the year 2050.

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Govt determined to bring about tobacco, alcohol free society - Prime Minister 

Prime Minister Rathnasiri Wickramanayaka, yesterday observed that despite the loss of state revenue, the Government was determined to go ahead with the anti-smoking and anti-drugs campaign uninterrupted, to bring-about a tobacco and alcohol free society.

"We will never ever weaken the programme initiated by us to transform our society, even at an annual loss to the Government. The 'Anti-Tobacco Act' has already yielded results", the Premier said.

The Prime Minister made these observations when the addressed a ceremony inaugurating the 'Anti-Tobacco' campaign, an awareness programme to dissuade the public from smoking, organised by the Tobacco and Drugs Information Centre in collaboration with the Health Ministry.

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Tobacco consumption claims 27,000 lives a year in Sri Lanka 

The consumption of tobacco and tobacco related products claims 27,000 lives in Sri Lanka while 5.4 million persons die of using tobacco related products in the World every year, Gallage Punyawardana of Swarna Hansa Foundation said yesterday.

He said the death toll is projected to rise to eight million by 2030 due to the rise in tobacco use. . . .

Punyawardana said the event in Sri Lanka is one of many actions taking place in more than 25 countries around the world this week to challenge the interference of tobacco giants in the implementation of Tobacco Treaty.

He commended the role played by Prof. Carlo Fonseka as the Chairman of National Authority of Tobacco and Alchohol (NATA). Healthcare and Nutrition Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva who has stood up against the tobacco giants.

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Sri Lanka government losses increase from smuggled cigarettes 

Sri Lanka Customs today seized another shipment of cigarettes smuggled into the country.

The Customs has confiscated 4.720 million sticks of cigarettes during the first 6 months of this year. According to Custom officials the smuggled cigarettes worth of Rs. 135.3 million reportedly evade duty and other taxes amounting to Rs. 111.7 million.

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Inquiry into biggest cigarette racket under way  

The Customs Preventive Division is conducting an inquiry into the smuggling of cigarettes from Dubai valued at Rs. 16.4 million. According to customs sources this was the biggest detection this year.

Statements were recorded from the travellers whose names appeared on the packages and the air cargo company which handled the consignment, said Assistant Director, Customs Preventive Division, K. A. Dharmasena.

He said that those whose names were mentioned on the packages denied any knowledge of these items.

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90 pc dip in smoking in public places 

Smoking in public places has reduced by 90 per cent and the use of alcohol has gone down by 40 per cent since January 1, 2007. This is after the Government introduced the Tobacco and Alcohol Control Act under President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s concept ‘Mathata Thitha’ (Full stop to drugs and liquor), a Healthcare and Nutrition Ministry spokesman said. . . .

Healthcare and Nutrition Minister Nimal Siripala De Silva has already instructed the National Tobacco and Alcohol Control Authority to amend the existing Tobacco and Alcohol Control Act by including roads in the list of public places.

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