Boozing, smoking nosedives in Lanka

Suraj A Bandara

Liquor consumption and smoking has seen a drastic drop in Sri Lanka. Most youth now take liquor only at functions and celebrations, a survey revealed yesterday.

The survey was done by a team of students of the Peradeniya University Arts Faculty for their final year dissertation.

The survey pointed out that smoking in Sri Lanka has dropped remarkably. Smoking has given an inferior feeling among the youth and the majority of youth refrain from smoking.

Adult males who used to smoke, still continue to smoke, the survey revealed.

The data collected on alcohol use in Sri Lanka has revealed that almost 80 percent of the male population consume liquor at least at celebrations or functions.

Meanwhile the average liquor consumption by women is less than 20 percent in Sri Lanka, the survey reported.

Liquor consumption on a regular basis has also decreased while occasional drinkers are on the rise in the country, the report said.

Meanwhile, National Dangerous Drugs Control Board statistics reveal that there are over 40,000 drug addicts in Sri Lanka. Youngsters got involved in drug related activities mainly due to poverty. Poverty is considered as the largest contributory factor for drug usage among poor family members.