According to the results of the 2015 STEPWise approach to Surveillance (STEPs) survey on risk factors for noncommunicable diseases conducted by the World Health Organization and the Sri Lankan Ministry of Health, the current prevalence of tobacco smoke among 18-69 year olds was 15.0%, with a daily smoking prevalence of 10.2%. The reported prevalence of current smoking among males was 29.4% and 0.1% among females.3 Results from the July 2015 Alcohol and Drug Information Centre (CIAD) one-time survey among males over the age of 15 showed a steady decline in tobacco smoke prevalence from the early 1990s to 2015 (Figure 1). 4 The legal age for the purchase or consumption of tobacco products is the minimum legal age for the purchase or consumption of tobacco products. Most countries have laws that prohibit the sale of tobacco products to people under a certain age, usually at the age of majority. It is good to prevent young people from smoking. But it will open the floodgates to much bigger problems. Sri Lanka is an island nation in the Indian Ocean with a population of 20.2 million.1 Tobacco cultivation was first introduced to Sri Lanka by the Portuguese in the 16th century and it is assumed that they also introduced the habit of smoking tobacco.2 The tobacco industry has interfered in the country`s attempts to 212223 An example of successful tobacco industry interference When the CTC filed a lawsuit against the Minister of Health, Mr Maithripala Sirisena, for the introduction of 80% pictorial health warnings (PHW) for tobacco packages in 2012.24 M. Maithripala Sirisena, who later became president of Sri Lanka in 2015, was Minister of Health at the time of the introduction of PHW. He publicly claimed that the CTC tried to bribe him during the trial, although the CTC denied the allegation.25262728 In addition, CTC executives continued to hold positions in government institutions in 2015, giving them access to the policy-making process.2930 Since 2012, various jurisdictions around the world have legalized recreational cannabis. In Mexico, Uruguay and jurisdictions where cannabis can be purchased, the legal age to possess or purchase cannabis is the same as the age to purchase tobacco (18 in Mexico and Uruguay and 21 in the United States). In Canada, the legal age to possess or purchase cannabis is 19 in all provinces and territories except Alberta (18) and Quebec (21). There are therefore three Canadian provinces (Manitoba, Quebec and Saskatchewan) and two territories (Northwest Territories and Yukon) where the age to purchase tobacco is below the age of possession and purchase of cannabis, and one province (Prince Edward Island) where the age of tobacco purchase is higher. Prior to December 2019, when the U.S.
raised the age of tobacco purchase to 21 in all states and territories, several U.S. states had a tobacco purchase age below the age of cannabis possession and purchase. “We hope to raise the legal age to 24 because medical science has proven that 24 is the right age when the brain is fully and properly developed,” NATA President Samadhi Rajapaksa said at a NATA roundtable on Dec. 29. “We will be the first country to spend 24 years. It is illegal to sell or give tobacco products directly or indirectly to minors, and anyone caught doing so will be subject to severe penalties. Sri Lanka`s National Tobacco and Alcohol Authority (NATA) wants to raise the legal age to buy alcohol and tobacco from 21 to 24, The Nation reports. The General Act contains measures concerning the prohibition of smoking in public places; packaging and labelling requirements; tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship; establishment of the National Tobacco and Alcohol Agency; and criminal offences and penalties. (Sheain Fernando Pull) The legal measures of this country have been reviewed by our legal staff in consultation with lawyers or tobacco control experts in the country. Earlier this year, NATA said it conducted a public poll showing that 65 percent of respondents support banning the sale of single-stick cigarettes and more than 50 percent of respondents don`t believe cigarettes should be legal in the country. Earlier this year, more than 50% of respondents to NATA`s survey said cigarettes should not be legal in Sri Lanka.
It is illegal for minors to buy, use or possess tobacco products in public Minors caught red-handed usually receive a warning or a $30 fine, with their school and parents informed and follow-up action taken by the school. Minors arrested more than once must attend at least two smoking cessation counseling sessions to aggravate their crimes. Minors who do not meet the above requirements, or if arrested four or more times, may be charged in court and, if convicted, fined up to $300. [107] He added that steps would also be taken to ban the sale of cigarettes near Island schools to discourage students from smoking. Violation of human rights. There are better and more sensitive issues at the moment that need to be clarified. The tobacco tax in Sri Lanka is governed by the Tobacco Tax Act.1516 The tobacco tax was revised twice in 2016, and the price of the best-selling cigarette brand, John Player Gold Leaf, was therefore increased by 143% (from LKR 35 to LKR 50).