Decline in number of smokers, increase in alcohol users

Sri Lanka has seen a decline in the number of smokers while the percentage of alcohol users is on the rise, said Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD) Director Dr. Lakshmi Somathunga.

Speaking at a ceremony when the Non-Communicable Diseases programme of the Healthcare and Nutrition Ministry released data on a survey done in Ipalogama, Marawila, Minuwangoda, Balangoda and Hakmana MoH areas on the risk factors of the NCD, she said.

Eight countries in the Asian region had done similar surveys. Reasons such as smoking, unhealthy food habits, lack of exercises, obesity and high blood pressure are the risk factors. "Lack of physical activities causes two million deaths yearly worldwide. Smoking causes 22,000 deaths yearly in Sri Lanka and 80 per cent of deaths that occur in Sri Lanka are due to non-communicable diseases," she said.

Revealing the survey results of 12,500 persons between the ages 15 to 64, she said it is a major achievement that tobacco smoking has remarkably reduced to 22.8 per cent among males and of this figure, 85.8 per cent are being used as manufactured cigarettes.

She said the prevalence among the young is only 13 per cent whereas the highest prevalence is among the old people who are addicts - 66.7 per cent. "The decline of smoking rate is mostly due to the recently enacted tobacco control law. However the percentage of alcohol users is on the rise and the highest is among those who are between 45-54 years," Dr. Somathunga said.

The NCD Director highlighted the fact that consumption of fruits and vegetables in Sri Lanka is very poor, though Sri Lanka is said to be a country with more than 50 varieties of fruits. "Consumption of fruits and vegetables should be improved in the proportion of number of days and also number of servings," she said.

She also emphasised the fact that engagement in physical activities too is vital to prevent non-communicable diseases. The percentage with low levels of activity (defined as, 600 MET-minutes/week) among males and females were 17.9 per cent and 31.9 per cent.

The combined risk factors for non-communicable diseases were explained to be as current daily smokers, overweight or obese, less than five servings of fruits and vegetables per day, raised blood pressure (SBP 140 and/or DBP 90 mmHg or currently on medication for raised BP) and low level of activity (,600 MET - minutes).

Dr. Agostino Borrha, WHO Regional Representative to Sri Lanka, said the survey results with scientific data would help to be more aware and cautious of the current situation in the country with regard to risk factors for non-communicable diseases.

"This is the first survey ever done on NCD risk factors in Sri Lanka. We have a very colourful health history and we are proud of that," said Healthcare Ministry Secretary Dr. Athula Kahandaliyanage. He mentioned that Sri Lanka is in the forefront in the region in regard to the progress it has achieved in areas such as maternal and child healthcare, water, hygiene, the entire hospital system etc. and that the country is a role model in the entire region.