The National Tobacco and Alcohol Control Act number 27 of 2006 will be amended shortly to prohibit smoking in all public places throughout the country.. The amendments will be presented to the Cabinet and then to Parliament soon after the Attorney General’s Department submits its draft Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena said.
Minister Sirisena said that as Sri Lanka’s Health Minister he will not give in to any pressure by any party or organization not to amend the Act.
Many made strong requests asking of me not to amend the Act but I will. Amend the Act and prohibit smoking in all public places on behalf of the future generation, the Minister said addressing the inauguration of a World No Tobacco Day ceremony at Colombo Hilton yesterday.
According to Minister Sirisena the Government is dedicated to protect the future generation of the country under the Mahinda Chinthana – Vision for the future and Mathata Thitha is one of the key programmes implemented to achieve this target. Health Ministry will take a strong stand when it comes to controlling tobacco and alcohol. Programmes will be strengthened and made more effective to achieve set targets. Political leaders at regional and provincial level should take the lead to implement the programs properly at grass roots level. In Sri Lanka, daily around 350 persons die from Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs) out of the total number of around 950 deaths daily. Also around 1,200 infant are born in the country. When comparing with the total population of Sri Lanka which is 19 million the number of deaths that occur due to NCDs is abnormal. Smoking is one key factor that contributes to the increase in NCDs. Religious leaders play a major role when it comes to protecting the society from tobacco and alcohol, the Minister added.
Ven. Maduluwawe Sobhitha Thera, WHO WR Sri Lanka Dr. F.R.Mehta, NATA Chairman Prof. Carlo Fonseka and many others spoke.
By Nadira GUNATILLEKE (Dailyn news)