Smoking and taking alcohol:

Children lured through cartoons

Christie Fernando Chilaw special corr

“Schoolchildren are insidiously seduced through cartoons and movie clips to become tobacco addicts.

“They also fall prey to indulge in alcohol when they emulate drunkards and drug addicts, and are often misled by their fathers who habitually drink and smoke,” said National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol Consultant Dr Sajeewa Ranaweera.

He was speaking at a workshop held at the Sudasuna hall, Chilaw on June 25. It was conducted for schoolchildren in the Puttalam district under the aegis of the National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol.

Dr Ranaweera said that the society at large should be motivated to prevent the young from being misled.

Those who indulge in smoking and taking alcohol are unaware of the detrimental effects on their bodies.

Once they became addicted it will be too late and doctors will not be able to cure their illnesses, he added.

Alcohol and tobacco brands are shown to the young through attractive advertisements and movies, he pointed out.

An anusasana was delivered by Ven Adaulpatha Seelawansa thera at this workshop. Madampe District Health Services Office Dr H P Herath, National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol Project Manager Dr Prasanna Cooray and several others also spoke.