Sri Lanka urged to tighten tobacco controls amid rising concerns

By Poojathmi Rivithma   

Sri Lanka has been urged to strengthen tobacco control measures as health experts warn of rising health and economic costs linked to smoking, while global and local authorities mark World No Tobacco Day.    Tobacco use remains one of the leading preventable causes of death in Sri Lanka, contributing to around 20,000 deaths annually.   

Meanwhile, non-communicable diseases (NCDs), strongly linked to tobacco consumption, account for 83% of all deaths in the country.   

Experts also point out the significant economic burden, with Sri Lankans spending an estimated LKR 520 million daily on cigarettes. While cigarette tax revenue stood at LKR 92.9 billion in 2019, the combined health and economic costs were estimated at LKR 214 billion, far exceeding government revenue from tobacco taxation.   

Recent data indicates mixed trends in consumption. A 20% increase in cigarette taxes in 2023 led to a sharp reduction in sales by 521.5 million sticks and higher revenue collection.   

However, a slower tax increase in 2025 contributed to a 5% rise in cigarette production, reversing earlier progress.   

Against this backdrop, the Alcohol and Drug Information Centre (ADIC) has raised concerns over delays in key tobacco control reforms, including amendments to the National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol (NATA) Act, such as banning single-stick cigarette sales and introducing plain packaging.   

The proposed Tobacco-Free Generation policy, which seeks to prohibit tobacco sales to individuals born after 2010, is also pending Cabinet approval.   

ADIC has called for stronger action, including higher tobacco taxation, a uniform tax structure, full implementation of NATA Act amendments, and adoption of the Tobacco-Free Generation policy. It also urged authorities to strengthen enforcement and resist tobacco industry interference in policymaking.   

The call comes as the World Health Organization (WHO) marks World No Tobacco Day under the theme “Unmasking the appeal – countering nicotine and tobacco addiction.”   

The WHO warns that the tobacco industry continues to repackage nicotine products, including e-cigarettes and vapes, to attract new users, particularly youth, while maintaining addiction among existing users.   

Health experts note that such “harm reduction” narratives risk normalising nicotine use, especially among children and adolescents, while deceptively being promoted as safer alternatives to smoking.   

ADIC, marking the day, called on policymakers, health professionals, civil society and the public to intensify efforts to protect present and future generations from tobacco-related harm and reduce the growing burden of non-communicable diseases in Sri Lanka.