Today is World No Tobacco Day. This year, World No Tobacco Day is celebrated under the theme “Raise Taxes of Tobacco. Lower Death and Disease”.
The World No Tobacco Day is observed on May 31st to highlight the health risks associated with tobacco use and the need for strengthening effective policies to reduce tobacco consumption.
The global tobacco epidemic kills nearly six million people each year, of which more than 600,000 are non-smokers dying due to second-hand smoking. Approximately 65 people die per day in Sri Lanka.
The economic costs of tobacco use are equally devastating. In addition to the high public health costs of treating tobacco-related diseases, tobacco users are also less productive due to increased sickness, and those who die prematurely deprive their families of much-needed income.
Sri Lanka can be proud and happy due to many reasons when combatting the killer tobacco. Firstly the country has a President whose propaganda is “Mathata Thitha” and a Health Minister who is determined to take all the tobacco controlling measures to ensure a secured future for youth.
The NATA Act although there are few loose ends, provides a framework and policy background for tobacco control. There are a few towns which do not sell cigarettes and some of the trade associations have decided to stop the sale of cigarettes in the near future. The CTC reports show that sales have decreased by 14% from first quarter of 2012 to 2013.
The contribution for tobacco control of professions from many fields, celebrities, policy makers, policy implementers, academics, and general public including youth and even smokers, is at an extraordinary level. Especially media play an important role in raising awareness among all the Sri Lankans.
Meanwhile to commemorate World No Tobacco Day, a walk was organized in the Delkanda area in Nugegoda. Action was initiated to educate shop owners, pedestrians and drivers among others on the ill effects of smoking. The funds raised from the walk will be credited to the Cancer Patients Fund.
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