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Last Updated : 2024-04-26 08:21:00
A memo that seeks approval to ban cigarettes in single sticks will be presented to the Cabinet next week as another step to eliminate the habit of smoking among Sri Lankans and among the youth in particular, Health and Indigenous Medicine Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne said yesterday.
“We have won the fight against the use of tobacco and smoking but we have a long way to go to fully eliminate smoking in the country. People now think smoking in open is a stigma. That is why they smoke in hiding. The laws banning smoking in public places and the increase of VAT up to 90% on cigarettes have also helped to reduce smoking. Our final target is to compel the people to fully give up smoking. However, Sri Lanka has been commended in many a global forum like the World Health Organization (WHO) for our efforts to control tobacco and smoking,” Minister Senaratne added.
Addressing a health camp held at the Ratiyala Maha Vidyalaya at Bulathsinhala, Minister Senaratne went on to say that legislations will also be introduced to order cigarette companies to market cigarettes in plain packets without any attractive features and only with the brand of the cigarette. It would be compulsory to print in colour the pictures of smoking related diseases like lung cancer, oral cancer and respiratory ailments covering 80% of the cover of the cigarette packets.
The fight against corruption is not an easy task. Many powerful companies, drug mafia, doctor mafia and my political opponents have got together to attack me for reducing a particular cancer drug to Rs. 40,000 from Rs. 180,000. A team of oncologists at the National Cancer Institute, Maharagama made a big hue and cry against the use of Russian made cancer drug and insisted that only European drugs must be prescribed to cancer patients despite their huge cost. But I was able to convince them the Russian drug was very effective and of similar quality to the European drug but it is very affordable. I applied the same policy to provide stent to heart patients and contact lenses to eye patients free of charge using the funds saved by breaking the drug mafia,” he stressed. (Sandun A Jayasekera)
Desmond Jeromme Thursday, 09 March 2017 12:40 PM
It means, Dr. Rajitha is going to import Beedi type cigarettes from India.
George Friday, 10 March 2017 07:30 AM
All I could see is that the government has become so greedy for money. Simply ban smoking and it is sorted. And let the fellows who wants to smoke illegally let them smoke and die.. Isnt a bigger cost via DM Android App
Manuel Benjamin Thursday, 09 March 2017 08:58 PM
Good move putha. Dr. Rajitha is a great man with policies, when he takes a step - never come back in vain.
One Shot Rajitha Thursday, 09 March 2017 08:56 PM
Good idea Dentist Dr. Rajitha can break the teeth of Weerawansa
RIM Thursday, 09 March 2017 07:45 PM
We can stop smuggling by ordering the coast guard to shoot anyone trying to smuggle them...
Paris ho Thursday, 09 March 2017 03:35 PM
non smokers mind your own businessno need to commentpoliticians brings tons of drugs to the country no body comment on thatso much of liquor legal and illegal this dentist do nothing about it via DM iOS App
Qatar Thursday, 09 March 2017 03:30 PM
To begin with, I am not a smoker, but this implementation is stupid. Today our country has so many other things to be looked at and streamlined, but sadly our ministers brains are so so small as a jack seed that they cannot implement more productive things than this. Minister Rajitha......these are not thins you should be focusing on.
nimal Thursday, 09 March 2017 03:15 PM
Revolutionary thinking to get us out of third world or hitting poor uneducated man addicted to nicotine?Banning motorcycles with five including babies or fish boxes on one machine, not a hope in hell?Preventing uneducated persons becoming MPs?Not a hope in hell?
German Jacob Thursday, 09 March 2017 12:51 PM
Very good move Sir. Even in Germany smoking is controlled and its working well. For sure you will shoot out the smoking habit in SriLanka.
Bubble Banda Thursday, 09 March 2017 12:49 PM
Hon. Minister, this is a good move, we appreciate all the goo work you and your Govt. do. Do one thing soon - i.e. slap either Dinesh or Weerawansa inside or outside Parliament.
J Palitha Thursday, 09 March 2017 12:42 PM
Minister can you produce cigarettes from dried Croton leaves?
Sathees Thursday, 09 March 2017 07:53 AM
Increased the fag price let to increase in fag smuggling. Where will this lead to?
walter Thursday, 09 March 2017 12:23 PM
Good sir, the end of the singlestick fan
lee Thursday, 09 March 2017 09:29 AM
Drug menace also has to be stopped.
ANTON Thursday, 09 March 2017 08:49 AM
NOW THE COMPANY WILL START MAKING SMALL PACKS, PACKETS WITH 03 TO 05 CIGARETTES....... HOOOOOOOOOO !!!!
Jonna Roxx Thursday, 09 March 2017 08:36 AM
Looks like we can start smoking tea leaves :D
ANTON Thursday, 09 March 2017 08:23 AM
THIS IS LIKE , THOSE WHO WANT TO EAT BEEF SHOULD BUY A BULL.
RW Thursday, 09 March 2017 08:17 AM
no cigarettes. Only heroine via DM iOS App
S.P.RAMKUMAR Thursday, 09 March 2017 08:05 AM
Banning cigarettes is better that this type of highway robbery, Allowing to addict once addicted seller can sell his own benefits, This is a type of sale increment.
JAN Thursday, 09 March 2017 07:54 AM
Small people everyday getting discriminated while VIP is getting everything SUVs meals five star food Singapore medical treatments projects commissions foreign trips family treatments etc etc via DM Android App
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