Rs. 4.2 billion up in 'smoke' each year

Mohammed Naalir

COLOMBO: Smoking burns up a colossal Rs. 4.2 billion each year in Sri Lanka which also spends one-fourth of its national income on the rehabilitation of drug addicts, Programme Instructor of Sumithrayo Drug Demand Reduction Programme, Dr. Manoj Fernando said yesterday.

He said continuous smoking of cigars including cannabis and addiction to heroin are the prime causes of womb cancer, neuro diseases, sexual deficiencies in males and mental disorders.

Addressing the media at Mel Medura, Dr. Fernando said smokers spend one-third of their income for indulging in the habit and one-fourth of the national income is spent on the treatment of drug addicts.

He said when a pregnant woman smokes, she gives birth to a disabled infant. "The number of persons who died of smoking related lung cancer have exceeded the number of tsunami deaths. The world records nearly 30,000 deaths each year due to lung cancer," Dr. Fernando said.

He said the real effect of consuming drugs was not known up to 1964. The main topic today is eradication of drugs and smoking. There is a direct connection between smoking and cancer.

Dr. Fernando said a drug addict takes 10 years to be rehabilitated.

The World Health Organisation signed an agreement to eradicate smoking with several countries.

Bhutan was the first which signed the agreement and banned smoking officially within the country. Sri Lanka was the fourth country which signed the drug and smoke eradication programme. USA and Thailand are also now attempting to commence such programmes, he said.

He said Mel Medura was established in 1974 to rehabilitate drug addicts.

It has also commenced mobile programmes throughout the country, Dr. Fernando said.

He said they are seeking the assistance of the law enforcement authorities, civic groups and other community welfare bodies to carry out their programme successfully. Most coming for treatment for impotency were found to be chain smokers.

Sri Lanka has gained WHO praise for its drug and smoke eradication programme. Laws against smoking and drug addiction should be regularised, he added.