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Last Updated : 2024-04-23 22:35:00
12 March 2017 02:20 pm - 28 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) questions the Cabinet paper on restricting cigarette consumption within the country which is to be presented in parliament this week.
Addressing a press briefing, the Association Secretary Dr. Naveen De Zoysa said they have fair reasons to believe that due to the desires of a few people, there is an attempt to delay the issuing of the Cabinet paper on restricting the cigarette consumption.
“We have handed over tenfold proposal to President Sirisena to minimize cigarette smoking in the country, while describing the harmfulness of tobacco on September 9, 2016. The proposals were prepared after a broad study on the World Health Organization (WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control,” he said.
To verify the people’s right to live, Dr. De Zoysa said that smoking could pose threat to health not only to the smoker but also to the people around them inhale and become passive smokers.
However, Dr. De Zoysa said that nearly six months had passed after handing over the proposals to the President and banning cigarettes being sold in single sticks, was a key proposal by them which has not been implemented as yet. Also he said that the government should introduce a licensing system for the sellers and should restrict the selling outlets in order to safeguard the people’s health.
“We have reasons to believe that the Cabinet paper is being delayed deliberately for the sake of a few individuals in the government. Implementing the recommended proposals sooner than later would help to protect the people from smoking-related ailments,” he said.
He said that the Association will stay alert on the government’s move to restrict cigarettes consumption in the country and said they believe that the President and the Unity Government would submit the Cabinet paper in this regard to Parliament immediately. (Thilanka Kanakarathna)
Ranjitdea Monday, 13 March 2017 04:04 AM
GMOA cannot take any credit for this. Thier proposal is from the WHO framework convention on Tobacco Control published long time ago and Sri Lanka is systematically approaching it.
MP Monday, 13 March 2017 11:12 AM
Yee, Wit is HO-FCTC issue, But the proposal was brought by the GMO, to the President in September 2016.
MP Monday, 13 March 2017 11:10 AM
It was the GMO who proposed this to the President in September. It is according to WHO's Tobacco Control Treaty. You are just talking nonsense!
Yehiya Monday, 13 March 2017 10:52 AM
They oppose free ambulance service. Private medical college
Thaha Muzammil Monday, 13 March 2017 10:31 AM
Don't know why these expert do not warn about the carbon emission from motor vehicles which is 1000 times more poisonous than tobacco and recommend less vehicles on the road.
bindu Monday, 13 March 2017 09:18 AM
This is an in-genuine effort to cover up and to regain the lost reputation of doctors and the hatred the public has towards them due to inhuman protests they carryout for their advantage. On one hand they black mail Govt. by keeping patients' lives at stake on the pretext of protecting patients from non qualified doctors.On the other hand they refrain from treating patients thus letting them die in some cases. Now they jump the gun before the minister to show their sympathy on smokers and smokers to be.
pathum Monday, 13 March 2017 08:57 AM
You were silence for more than decade when the previous government try to halt 80 % pictorial warning on cigarette packets. Now, you have a magical power to involve with all stuffs. We know your hidden agenda Doctor.
Tani Monday, 13 March 2017 08:24 AM
Hats off to Health minister for all his efforts to improve the health sector here !Doctors have dug their own grave by getting involved in SAITM issue too much, so keep off this too, people care less for your opinions now.
Suranimala Monday, 13 March 2017 08:14 AM
Why not call a usual island wide strike on this issue which is the normal practice of the GMOA?
Palitha Galapitiya Monday, 13 March 2017 08:11 AM
GMAO is overstepping their limits. Looks like that they think that they know everything. hik,,,!!! ,hiketz,,,,,!!!
sathees Monday, 13 March 2017 07:26 AM
Everybody now accepts that the cigarettes are bad for health but good for Gov revenue. Why not ban cigarettes and allow weed. Gov. could sell weed in pharmacy. Thus not loosing the revenue.
Ajith Monday, 13 March 2017 06:27 AM
Some of these guys in GMOA are like JVP and JO. Object or find some fault with every move by the government. They might as well change the profession and come to politics. JVP or any party within JO will welcome them for sure.
Quakula Monday, 13 March 2017 05:00 AM
It's a good thing that Zoysa jumps into everything trying to make a name for himself. Hopefully one of these days, he'll jump in front of a moving train
Quakula Monday, 13 March 2017 04:57 AM
GMOA always has a hidden agenda besides wanting to govern the country.
annoyed Sunday, 12 March 2017 03:35 PM
Technically, smoking affects good health. But that's not the point. GMOA seems to have a hidden agenda.
Ajith Monday, 13 March 2017 01:38 AM
This is minimization strategy of GMOA reputation. Trade union has nothing to do with changing other peoples behavior.
JAN Monday, 13 March 2017 01:09 AM
GMOA suddenly active but during MR Regime they are like kittens via DM Android App
Mahila Sunday, 12 March 2017 11:56 PM
A detail assessment should be made by all stake holders, based on studies conducted within and outside Sri Lanka, without bias, before parliament passing the legislation or act to control. This takes time. See what a mess we have with students’ lives/future and the public nuisance of road protest and strikes by doctors, because of "jump starting" the SAITM in 2010, with the 'NOW ALL' groups being silent then. They waited for 6 years to protest SAITM, but cannot wait 6 months for tobacco stick sale prohibition.
renu Sunday, 12 March 2017 10:37 PM
Zoysa prohibit your B stikes and treat the people
Blair Sunday, 12 March 2017 10:33 PM
when a person buys a packet the tendency is to smoke more than buying one by one.
ceylon Sunday, 12 March 2017 10:31 PM
what a joke.you are beleiving this sirisena follow the wise advice or rule of law .look at his presidential record.he never do anything good for the people. via DM Android App
lalih de silva Sunday, 12 March 2017 10:24 PM
People of this country must come on to the road agaist GMOA... dR zOYSA and the team became drs thnaks to tax payers money .. when innocent people come hospitals , these guys keep away from hospitals .... this is unfair , and do GMOA make a voice to imporve quality of hospitals???? and disucss how to to give a better service to innocent people who come for looking free medical?? I INVITE ALL SRILANKAN TO TO PROTEST AGAIST GMOA AT THE EARLIEST AND CHASE AWAY THESE GUYS OUT OF MEDICAL SERVICES
SL Sunday, 12 March 2017 09:52 PM
soon government will have to ban selling Heroin,Kerala Ganja,Taba , and controled drugs etc.. in small quantities.police/gvt all talk but the number of people who are using drugs increasing daily. specially among students and youngsters.
BV Sunday, 12 March 2017 09:13 PM
At last the GMOA seems to be speaking of something sensible.Actually this is what the people expect from you.
Bala Sunday, 12 March 2017 08:56 PM
All these will be presented to Parliament soon and GMOA bringing this up to show that they did it. To get extra points !!
Kadiya Sunday, 12 March 2017 07:52 PM
The GMOA hypocrites do not talk about the number of sick they kill (murder, actually) when they go on strike for the slightest reason, do they?
Shelly. Sunday, 12 March 2017 06:01 PM
When Rajitha sussesfully taking steps one by one towards minimize smoking Zoysa jumps in. Doctors are heavy smokers.Zoysa better work among his comerades. Rajitha knows how to handle his area. via DM Android App
Mason Sunday, 12 March 2017 05:51 PM
Why not ban duty free permits from MPS onwards, which is also a heavy hazard on the Taxpayers' purse.
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