NATA mulls banning sale of single-stick cigarettes

28 January 2026 10:11 pm Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 4 Bookmark

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Colombo, Jan. 28 (Daily Mirror) - A fresh discussion has emerged on the need to ban the sale of cigarettes individually, where officials of the National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol (NATA) highlighted it during a recent meeting of the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Health, Mass Media and Women’s Empowerment.

NATA officials emphasized that 104 countries worldwide have banned the sale of cigarettes individually and that a similar law is important in Sri Lanka.

They pointed out that when cigarettes are sold individually, the health warnings displayed on cigarette packaging are not visible to consumers.

The committee met in Parliament recently under the chairmanship of MP (Dr.) Nihal Abeysinghe.

Officials of the Authority informed the committee that approximately 22,000 people die annually due to tobacco and alcohol consumption, and that the country incurs an annual economic loss of Rs. 225–240 billion as a result.

They further stated that steps are currently being taken to amend the National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol Act by incorporating the necessary legal provisions to effectively address this situation.

The officials stressed the importance of imposing taxes on cigarettes after determining their prices.

Committee Chair Dr. Nihal Abeysinghe told the Daily Mirror that no final decision has been taken on the ban of the sale of single-stick cigarettes and that matter is under discussion.

Comments - 4

Yohan Wednesday, 28 January 2026 11:45 PM

Losing 240 billion is utter rubbish. Government earns several times more with tax on liquor, fags and manufacturers and importers of liquor. lol

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Dilshan Perera Thursday, 29 January 2026 01:50 AM

If they really want to do something about smoking what they should first do is remove all cigarette displays at Point of Sales in supermarkets. Only in Sri Lanka is this allowed.. all other restrictions are nullified due to this marketing gimmick by Tobacco Mafia.

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Crazy8 Thursday, 29 January 2026 03:18 AM

But individual rights must be upheld as group-think is usually backward and shaped by tunnel vision.

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Sambo Thursday, 29 January 2026 08:50 AM

Your stats are dead wrong. People have to die some way or another.

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