The Centre for Combating Tobacco (CCT) in Sri Lanka is working to coordinate the creation of the tobacco-free generation for those born after 2010 to influence political decision-making and actions.
CCT Director Dr. Mahesh Rajasuriya said that CCT has already proposed the implementation of a smoke-free generation policy wherein those born after January 1, 2010, will never be able to purchase commercial tobacco or nicotine products legally.
“We hope to discuss with the new Health Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa to further moot this policy, Dr. Rajasuriya said.
According to the facts and figures, nearly 50 deaths occur daily in Sri Lanka due to smoking, totalling approximately 20,000 deaths annually.
Cigarette smoking during childhood and adolescence causes significant health problems among young people, including an increase in the number and severity of respiratory illnesses, decreased physical fitness and potential effects on lung growth and function. Deputy Project Director and Editor – Tobacco Unmasked Dr. Manuja Perera said that 1.5 million people in Sri Lanka still smoke tobacco.
Additionally, multinational tobacco companies are employing various tactics to attract the younger generation and children to use tobacco.
“Despite significant progress in reducing tobacco use, the emergence of electronic cigarettes and other new tobacco and nicotine products present a grave threat to youth and tobacco control.
Studies demonstrate that e-cigarette use increases conventional cigarette use, particularly among non-smoking youth, by nearly three times.
“Despite multiple measures by successive governments to bring down tobacco prevalence in Sri Lanka, still, a considerable amount of persons use tobacco. Reducing smoking prevalence is also identified as one of the concerns in the manifesto of the newly elected government of Sri Lanka.
Therefore, we hope to give our fullest support to the government to implement this policy,” Dr. Perera said.
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