183 Countries likely to ban Cigarette Filters and Vaporisers

Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD) are the leading cause of death worldwide, while accounting for 83% of all deaths in Sri Lanka, with smoking among the 4 main risk factors which contribute to NCDs, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).

It has now been scientifically proved that Cigarette Filters (CF) and Vaporisers release over 7,000 chemicals into the environment, causing severe environmental damage to various ecosystems in lands and oceans.

In Sri Lanka, studies have revealed that 6.3 million CFs are discarded into the environment daily, totaling to 230 million CFs annually. It is further reported that despite claims by the Tobacco industrialists and companies suggesting that the CFs mitigate the harm of smoking there is scientific evidence at present to prove otherwise. Negatively, CFs are found to be full of Toxins, including Carcinogens and Heavy Metals.

Referring to the matter, the Alcohol and Drug Information Center (ADIC- a Government approved charity in 1992) Executive Director Sampath De Seram told the Daily News that, according to the WHO, Tobacco kills around 8 million people worldwide annually, and smoking accounts for the death of approximately 50 persons per day in Sri Lanka.

He revealed that additionally Sri Lankans spend approximately Rs 520 million on Cigarettes per day, further intensifying the prevailing drastic economic hardships. Usage of Cigarettes is a significant health concern in Sri Lanka. Undoubtedly, being a deadly product, Tobacco is accountable for more than 20,000 preventable deaths per year caused by Cancers, Heart Diseases and Respiratory Illnesses occurring from Tobacco use in the country.

Sri Lanka is among 183 countries in the world which rectified the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) joining hands with global Tobacco prevention movement. The 10th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 10) to the WHO FCTC was held last February in Panama, which was represented by ADIC, Sri Lanka. During the conference sessions, an important decision was made on the implementation of Article 18 (Protection of the Environment) of the Tobacco Control Chanter, which proposed to ban CFs and Vaporisers, De Seram emphasised further. He pointed out that, over the years, several proposals have been presented regarding amendments to the National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol (NATA) Act, to facilitate and maintain the declining trend of smoking within the country. However, it is noteworthy and unfortunate that the amendments are yet to be implemented he added.

The banning of single stick Cigarette sales would effectively decrease the affordability of Cigarettes, consequently limiting access for vulnerable groups, including children and youth, thereby reducing the likelihood of smoking initiations. Additionally, such a ban would enhance the visibility of health warnings on Cigarette packing, continuously reminding consumers of the associated health risks and making Cigarette less appealing. The WHO advocates this measure as one of the most effective strategies to discourage Cigarette consumption. Single stick Cigarette sales now have been banned in 107 countries worldwide, as an effective strategy in Tobacco control.

Yet the Survey- Single Cigarette Sales – Bait for the Vulnerable Groups, conducted recently by ADIC Sri Lanka, in collaboration with the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, revealed that approximately 93.6% of Cigarettes sold in Sri Lanka are purchased as single sticks.

This situation is regrettable and hindering the process of reducing use of Cigarettes in the country, De Seram specified. He stressed that it is imperative for Sri Lanka to follow suit promptly and implement such effective proposals without delay.

ADIC treated it as an urgent need for government intervention to discourage Cigarette consumption, prioritising the well-being of citizens over the interests of multinational Tobacco companies. Such interventions would protect children and prevent current smokers from using these products, while minimising the economic health and social repercussions associated with Cigarette use. At present, according to the recent data from Global Adult Tobacco (GAT) survey, 9.1% of individuals above 15 years of age, were using Cigarettes, out of which 19 were males in the country. Therefore, even at present, around 1,500,000 adults in the country smoke Cigarettes.

The post 183 Countries likely to ban Cigarette Filters and Vaporisers appeared first on DailyNews.