Few thoughts on Mathata Thitha

When President Mahinda Rajapaksa launched his Mathata Thitha campaign in 2006, very few gave it a chance of success. Alcohol and tobacco indulgence being compulsive habits, this seemed a reasonable inference. But four years on the campaign has achieved commendable results.

Anuradhapura Health Services Regional Director Dr Palitha Bandara was quoted in our main story yesterday as saying that tobacco and alcohol consumption among young people have dropped by 20 percent. Of course, part of the credit for this should go to the National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol and its redoubtable Chairman Professor Carlo Fonseka who went to great lengths to implement the provisions included in the NATA Act No 27 meant to combat all forms of promotion of alcohol and tobacco.

He was pilloried in sections of the media for his decision to ban tobacco and alcohol scenes in films and teledramas. But the results show that this move has paid dividends. The motive was to prevent exposure of impressionable minds to such scenes which are considered macho and the in thing. Never mind the statistics; it is plain for all to see that smoking among youth has dropped drastically. Gone are the days when it was the fashion for schoolboys to be seen with the 'but'. The smoke sent their adrenalin flowing and made them feel on par with adults. That was a time when smoking was allowed even in cinemas and when the cigarette was part of the ensemble of heroes of local films.

But there are subtle ways deployed by purveyors of the alcohol and tobacco culture to entrap youth. It has now transpired that there was no mention in the law for Television to mask drug and alcohol scenes and it was a well disguised plan by the pro - Alcohol- Tobacco lobby with the connivance of TV channels, to direct public wrath on institutions such as NATA that are carrying out a tireless campaign to wean out youth from the evils of tobacco and alcohol.

These merchants of death to use a description of Prof Carlo Fonseka today spend billions of rupees to promote popular programs using the wide reach of the media enlisting well-known artistes and stars to get their subtle message across their target audiences. As it is well-known the funds come from their multi-national chains which wield much power and clout.

Therefore steps should be taken to identify these sources and expose their vile deeds to the public. This way the youth who are not yet hooked on alcohol could be saved from the risk.

Although the measures taken by institutions like NATA to implement Mathata Thitha in earnest is commendable there are other variables too that need to be addressed to ensure success of the program. As of now, the task is only partly accomplished. The statistics only cover imbibers from the regular outlets. There is a vast industry of illegal liquor thriving in the country which not only causes the worst harm but also is a severe drain on the national health budget in curing alcohol related diseases. It is in this context that the decision taken by Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena to charge patients who come for treatment at State hospitals with alcohol related diseases is a step in the right direction. Though this may be a deterrent it alone would not wean the die-hard drinker from the illicit brew. Today it is no secret that the moonshine industry flourishes with the blessings of politicians. Until the nexus between the police, politician and the Kassipu mudalali is broken there can be no effective remedy to curb more and more people becoming addicts. The good work of the institutions like NATA would be of no avail if while alcohol abuse is being combatted successfully on one flank it is allowed to thrive on another. Therefore the President as the pioneer of the program to ensure a drug and alcohol free country should read the riot act to any one within the Government ranks who may turn a Nelsonian eye to the illicit liquor racket.

A concerted effort should be made to spread the message on the harmful effects of alcohol and tobacco far and wide. Today there is direct relationship between poverty and alcoholism. This is most seen in the estate sector where poverty levels are notoriously high. Therefore steps should also be taken to tackle the issue from socio-economic standpoint by combatting poverty. Though this alone will not lead to total abstinence it is bound to have a positive fall-out that mitigates against alcohol and drug abuse.