Govt follows WHO policies on tobacco 

[Monday, February 11, 2008 - 08.30 GMT]  

Sri Lanka has already put into practice four out of six policies on prevention of tobacco use pronounced by the World Health Organization (WHO), Head of National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol, Prof. Carlo Fonseka said.

Sri Lanka has already implemented regulations to protect people from tobacco smoke, warn about the danger of tobacco, enforce bans on tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship and raise taxes on tobacco.

The Authority is working towards implementing the other two policies to ensure 100% smoke-free environment in public places, Prof. Fonseka said.

Sri Lanka has imposed a 54% excise on the retail price for a pack of 20 cigarrets, third highest in the South-East Asian region followed by Nepal and India.

Sri Lanka’s overall enforcement on ban on direct advertising of tobacco is 9 points and promotion is 10.

The WHO on February 7 released a new report showing the progress made by countries on key tobacco control measures; monitor tobacco use and prevention policies, protect people from tobacco smoke, offer help to quit tobacco use, warn about the danger of tobacco, enforce bans on tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship and raise taxes on tobacco. 

The report presents the first comprehensive analysis of global tobacco use and control efforts, based on data from 179 countries.