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Further restrictions on smoking

23 January 2012 08:05 pm - 18     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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An expert said yesterday Sri Lanka had the potential to introduce legislation calling for the total ban on tobacco consumption by those born after 2000.
 
Singapore National University Professor A.J. Berrick told a seminar on tobacco consumption that academics had submitted a research paper on the possibility of stopping tobacco consumption altogether by restricting the access to tobacco by individuals born after 2000.

Deputy Solicitor General Vijitha Malalgoda said there were practical difficulties in introducing such legislation but said it was a step in the right direction as it could make a significant impact on the reduction of tobacco consumption in the country.
 
“I think it’s a good move. Whether we can do it is a matter that should be considered. Up to now we don’t have any legislation in this form but I see no reason why we can’t introduce this to our local laws,” Mr. Malalgoda said.

The National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol (NATA) Chairman Carlo Fonseka said it was necessary to explore the possibilities of introducing such legislation to control tobacco consumption and that implementing such a proposal in Sri Lanka should be considered.
 
Mr. Berrick said one of the key methods of implementing this policy would be to submit evidence of a person’s age when purchasing cigarettes or other tobacco products.
He said their research showed that there was strong support for the proposal in Singapore where some 60 per cent were smokers. (Olindhi Jayasundere)

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  Comments - 18

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  • analysis Tuesday, 24 January 2012 05:07 AM

    Good intention though also good for Ganja mudalis.

    George Tuesday, 24 January 2012 12:40 PM

    Onna kiwwa moda kathawak. Haiyo Haiyo!!

    George Tuesday, 24 January 2012 12:47 PM

    This is crazy. yes, smoking is bad for health...so are many other things. It is ones personal choice and terms should not be dictated against it, although practical restrictions are acceptable.

    Another way to loose "Smokers vote" and be anti government. Add more to the already increasing hatred against government by controling people's lives!. .

    Trualf Tuesday, 24 January 2012 12:42 PM

    Work of A.K Berrick is grade its should be implement also in Sri Lanka… I’m totally agree with Ariya and Malaka. We don’t need money to our government from killing people ( By Tobacco) we can get money in so many good ways….

    Patriot Tuesday, 24 January 2012 10:37 AM

    Exactly. Socially speaking, alcoholism is a far worse evil than smoking.

    sajitha Tuesday, 24 January 2012 07:54 AM

    Doesn't people have a right to smoke on their private areas? You get others sick if you smoke in public and it is now banned. But can the law stop anyone if they want to smoke at home?

    sadni Tuesday, 24 January 2012 07:02 AM

    Which taxes do you want increased in order for the government to replace the revenue earned from alcohol and tobacco taxes? I'm sure all these goody two shoes will be screaming for the smokes and booze to be freely available when that happens! :)

    Dismanirie Tuesday, 24 January 2012 07:02 AM

    Prohibition benefits only criminals.

    Good regulation applied consistently is far preferable to prohibition.

    Too many "experts" out there telling us how to live OUR lives. Enough is enough!

    Senanayake Tuesday, 24 January 2012 06:36 AM

    I think law is there. Selling tobacco to a person below 21 and smoking in enclosed public places are prohibited. Any adult has right to smoke or not as long as he doesnt give second hand smoke to others

    Chat Monday, 23 January 2012 08:03 PM

    Very good decision. Further more plain packaging of cigarette packets and graphic warnings should be printed on the cover.

    KABAB Tuesday, 24 January 2012 05:05 AM

    It will be a good move if both smoking & liquor is fully banned.

    chamin Tuesday, 24 January 2012 04:45 AM

    Sir,this is sri lanka,not singapore. Tobacco tax is a major source of income for our government,which has failed to create any other industries after the end of war.

    prabath Tuesday, 24 January 2012 02:47 AM

    what about of totally banning the import of tobaco.?
    Those kind of things are not enough.
    Gavernment getting significant amount of tax from tobaco..
    So they will not suicide.....

    Aristotle Tuesday, 24 January 2012 02:38 AM

    Start off by eradicating rape, murder, extortion, abductions. These are more dangerous that smoking for the ordinary citizens. Have a good pubic heath system and quality drugs it the people are really loved.

    Ariya Tuesday, 24 January 2012 02:34 AM

    How about closing the cigarette factory? And also the tax office between the factory and the stores within the Tobacco company?

    lament Tuesday, 24 January 2012 02:24 AM

    super move. stop it fully. they smoke. we get sick! its a mental illness.

    Malaka Tuesday, 24 January 2012 02:01 AM

    Very good move. Consider billions lost because of cancer treatment and lost human lives and productivity. The government should decide between those multi billion lose versus few billion tax income. But we have to fight the multinational company.
    One important thing is to increase taxes exponentially. For example in UK cigarette pack costs 5 pounds or 10 dollars. That's because of the tax penalty. We should do the same.

    pranandu Tuesday, 24 January 2012 01:49 AM

    Dear Sir, could you kindly stress on a TOTAL BAN on smoking on the roads, way side kade's, 3wheelers, 3whleer parks etc as I am sorry to say the BAN on smoking in public places is SLOWLY BUT SURELY MOVING AWAY as we see people smoking on the main roads and on top of lanes. Unfortunetly I can see this is becoming another of those famous SRI LANKA LAWS that our Police Personnel keep forgetting to continue with.


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