Sri Lankans spend Rs. 690 million daily on arrack and beer: ADIC

By Poojathmi Rivithma

Colombo, January 30 (Daily Mirror) - In Sri Lanka, the consumption of arrack and beer is significant, with people spending as much as Rs. 690 million per day on these beverages, according to the Alcohol and Drugs Information Centre (ADIC).

However, 83% of preventable deaths in Sri Lanka are caused by NCDs such as heart diseases, cancer and respiratory illnesses. 

The leading causes for the onset of NCDs are the consumption of alcohol and tobacco.

In 2022, the alcohol tax revenue was Rs. 165.2 Billion, while the losses caused by alcohol were Rs. 237 Billion, according to an UNDP study.

Every day in Sri Lanka, 40 to 50 people die because of alcohol, leading to 15,000 - 20,000 deaths each year. Most of these are men, leaving many children without their fathers.

The current trend in alcohol initiation shows that most instances occur during large gatherings such as big matches, highlighting peer influence as a significant factor contributing to the onset of alcohol use.

ADIC Executive Director, Sampath De Seram, stated that in 2022, people in Sri Lanka spent Rs. 510 million daily on tobacco.

According to a UNDP study, in 2019, the tobacco tax revenue was Rs. 92.9 billion. 

Additionally, the Sri Lankan government incurs an annual cost of Rs. 214 billion to address health problems and economic costs related to tobacco consumption.

According to the ADIC-RESET public opinion poll results on alcohol consumption in Sri Lanka, the majority of Sri Lankan adults favour smart pricing policies: 73% favour measures that raise alcohol prices and 75% endorse alcohol taxation.