Sale of cigarettes singly to be banned

Packets must contain at least 20 sticks

16 September 2020 08:33 am - 14 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Regulations are being prepared to ban the sale of single cigarettes, which have been identified as the gateway to other narcotic drugs.

National Authority on Tobacco & Alcohol (NATA) Chairman, Dr. Samadhi Rajapaksa told Daily Mirror the Government that the necessary laws would be enforced as soon as possible.

“Global evidence has proved that the prevalence of single cigarettes is an initiation and and sustains smoking among 80 to 90 per cent of youth including students. The main aim is to put an end to the sale of cigarettes singly is to protect this generation,” Dr. Rajapaksa said.

“Single stick cigarette is identified as the gateway drug to other drugs substances. Hence, the ban on this would at least discourage the use single cigarettes and thereby the tendency to use other narcotics will be reduced,” he said.

However, Dr. Rajapaksa said the vendors are only allowed to sell cigarettes packets containing at least 20-stick packets. We hope this would discourage smokers from buying cigarettes in packets, which costs higher.

He said the majority of the countries had already implemented this ban and it had produced good results.

The previous government also made efforts to implement the ban on the sale of single cigarettes though it was not effectively implemented. (Sheain Fernandopulle)

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Comments - 14

Dutchman Wednesday, 16 September 2020 09:02 AM

Dream on. You better legalize softdrugs, because then people (also youth)will be less confronted by hardcore criminals selling harddrugs.

Vinodh Wickremeratne v Wednesday, 16 September 2020 09:02 AM

Alternatively G a n j a will increase in addition to other types of joints

Sambo Wednesday, 16 September 2020 09:16 AM

You want to keep the cake and eat it as well. This could open the door for smuggled cigarettes.

YZ Wednesday, 16 September 2020 09:26 AM

Good move

BigEars Wednesday, 16 September 2020 09:59 AM

Ha Ha Ha! Again like the traffic lanes. What a bunch of jokers.

DJ Wednesday, 16 September 2020 10:04 AM

How can you do it to a poor man who can afford only 2 Cigs a day

Anthony Wednesday, 16 September 2020 10:06 AM

Good Idea in caring for students, but also consider adults who smoke specially middle class,so introduce smaller packets 0f three and six.

lal Wednesday, 16 September 2020 10:26 AM

They would pool the money and buy a pack.

Buffalo Wednesday, 16 September 2020 11:00 AM

This was already in place Last year same like traffic lanes wil be forgotten in time.

mp Wednesday, 16 September 2020 11:24 AM

Isn't trying to reduce use of a poisonous product a bad thing? To say that when trying to stop use of tobacco would increase smuggled cigarette is a myth fabricated by the tobacco industry. One third of the total tobacco products in the world by the tobacco industry go as smuggled cigarettes. The tobacco industry is engaged in this game. It is to put forward as an excuse for influencing governments to reduce tax on cigarettes and also to evade paying tax on legal cigarettes.

Leo Wednesday, 16 September 2020 11:43 AM

So now the youth will start theft and other illegal practices be able to afford a 20 pack. This is not a solution.

Thor Wednesday, 16 September 2020 11:43 AM

Thank God for 'beedi'

Roshanaly Wednesday, 16 September 2020 12:59 PM

Cost of the Cigarette pack much less than the cost of the Drugs.

Familybudget Wednesday, 16 September 2020 04:06 PM

One cigarette could cost as much as Rs.50/= do our women folk know?

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Sale of cigarettes singly to be banned

Packets must contain at least 20 sticks

Comments - 14

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