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Tobacco addiction peaks in estates, urban slums

by Bharatha Malawaraarachchi

Over 30 per cent of males in Sri Lanka are smokers with the highest percentage of addiction reported among the estate community and urban slums. According to a study, the smoking prevelence among the estate community is 64.4 per cent while in urban slums it is estimated at 85 per cent.

This was revealed at a discussion held at the Health Ministry yesterday to mark the World No Tobbaco Day, which is celebrated on May 31, under the theme of " Tobacco Free Sports".

Health Ministry Secratray Dr. Reggie Perera said a large number of males over 12 years old are addicted to smoking in Sri Lanka with labourers ranking the highest - 80 per cent."

Most of them acknowledge the fact that smoking is harmful to health and also a wastage of money, but still they continue."

Dr. Perera said, the lowest addiction group is sportsmen with the next being doctors. Traders and drivers are also ranked highest.

Globally, 6000 billion cigerettes are smoked every year by 1.1 billion smokers. "Four million people die annually and by the year 2020, it is estimated that tobacco will kill 500 million people."

Dr. Perera added that 11,000 people die daily due to smoking related disease, recording one death in every 8.6 seconds."

However, it is figured out that 82,000 - 99,000 new people start smoking each day." He said the habit of smoking seems to be on the wane in developed countries, recording reduction in the annual consumption of tobacco.

"In developed countries 42 per cent of men are addicted and 24 per cent women while in developing countries, the ratio is 47 per cent are men and seven per cent women." he added.

Referring to latest medical findings, Dr. Perera noted that every cigerette reduces life span by 11 minutes. Tobacco causes 25 lethal diseaces."

There is no safe level of consumption," Dr. Perera added.

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Copyright 2001 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
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