Rally round to save people from tobacco use

Rasika Somarathna

Colombo: Health and Nutrition Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva yesterday called on all those concerned with the evil effects of tobacco to rally round and save people from further misery and death.

"Having learnt the grim lessons of suffering and death from Tobacco related illnesses, the time is opportune to muster support of health professionals, journalists, politicians and all relevant experts on human health and welfare to come forward and educate the public to save our population from future misery and death," Minister de Silva said at a ceremony to mark the World No Tobacco Day at the BMICH yesterday.

"We are trying to strengthen the legal framework by bringing new legislation to improve the laws and regulations against Tobacco," Minister said that already six tobacco companies have filed a case in courts challenging these new regulations.

Tobacco consumption is now decreasing in most industrialised countries.

The multinational tobacco companies are concentrating more on poorer countries in Asia and Africa," the Minister said. He said "the experience we have of other countries in fighting against these mega companies were not always pleasant.

As such while strengthening the laws and regulations we have to mobilise relevant forces to educate the people," he said.

The Minister paid a glowing tribute to the late Ven. Gangodawila Soma thera recalling how the thera was able to mobilize people especially the youth of this country to shun the habit of smoking. Although the World No Smoking Day fell on May 31 the ceremony had to be postponed because he had to make an urgent trip abroad.

Consultant Psychiatrist Dr. D. B. J. Harischandra said. "With skilled marketing tactics tobacco companies manipulate people into smoking earning enormous profits. About five million people die every year with tobacco related illnesses in the world. Politicians and opinion makers have not yet fully woken up to the threat," the Doctor lamented.

Citing alcoholic use in the country as a related issue Dr. Harischandra said that he had received reliable information that the Government was planning to bring in legislation to permit the increase in the content of alcohol in beverages. "If this happens more people would die of related illnesses than the number of people killed by war." He appealed to the Minister to oppose it if there was any truth in the matter.

Awards were presented to those who made outstanding contributions with regards to tobacco awareness programmes. The award winners were well-known actor Sanjaya Leelarathna, Author Manjari Peiris, pop group 'B Positive', Dr. D. B. J. Harischandra and Dr. D. P. Athukorala. A special award was presented to the Minister for presenting the Tobacco and Alcohol Act in Parliament.

The welcome speech was made by Director General Health Services Dr. Athula Kahandaliyanage and the vote of thanks delivered by Dr. Lakshi Somatunge, Director Non-communicable diseases. Health Ministry officials along with many others participated at this event. Dr. Agostino Borra WHO representative to Sri Lanka also spoke.