'Fags, booze claim 30,000 lives in Sri Lanka annually'

Mohammed Naalir and Dharma Sri Abeyratne

Smoking and the use of alcohol claims 7.6 million lives annually allover the world. Sri Lanka is also no exception since smoking and alcohol claim nearly 30,000 lives annually, the Director for National Drug Prevention and Operation Unit Dr. Manoj Fernando said.

He said Sri Lankans burns from Rs. 90 billion to Rs. 100 billion on smoking every year except for expenses on alcohol and drugs. Continuing Fernando said nearly 56 affected by cansor due to excessive tobacco use according to the statistics of Maharagama Cansor hospital.

He said that the number of persons who die due to smoking and alcohol related diseases have exceeded dengue and malaria deaths.

Various types of promotional campaigns are being carried out by alcohol and tobacco companies targeting the youth Dr. Fernando added.

He said in the recent past the number of youths between 20 to 28 to become addicted to smoking and alcohol have increased by a considerable level due to the attractive promotion campaign on alcohol and tobacco products.

He expressed his displeasure over the misuse of the media to promote their products. Tele dramas are the main source of alcohol and tobacco publicity campaign. They contribute to 80 per cent of the advatisement process of liquor and tobacco products.

Jathika Hela Urumaya Parliamentarian and the Director Operations and National Drug Prevention Operation Unit Ven. Athureliye Rathana Thera said the involvement and contribution of media institutions is crucial to create an alcohol and smoking free society.

"It has come to light that following a research conducted in the Kalutara District revealed that there are 1250 illegal moonshine centres.

At least there may be a minimum one moonshine centre in each Grama Niladari Division in Kalutara District," he said.