Shrinks back smoking warning

The Sri Lanka College of Psychiatrists welcomed the Health Ministry decision to place graphic warning labels on cigarette packets in Sri Lanka.

The stark images in the picture warnings on tobacco products are a call to action for smokers to quit, and the evidence is that such measures work. Countries which have implemented such pictorial warnings include Canada, Australia, Britain, Brazil, India, New Zealand, Singapore, Venezuela, Thailand and Uruguay. The prevalence of smoking has reduced in these countries.

Smoking is an addiction of childhood and adolescence with the majority of smokers taking up the habit while still under 18. It is a high addictive habit, and many smokers find very difficult to quit. Half of all long-term smokers die early, half of these in middle age, with many more suffering years of disability as a result of their habit.

The Sri Lanka College of Psychiatrists are of the opinion that these graphic warnings will help people see the grim reality of the effects of smoking, and become better informed about the risks of smoking.

The College is happy to help anyone who wishes to quit smoking and recommends meeting a Mental Health professional based in any hospital. The Ministry of Health is assured of the support of the College of Psychiatrists in its endeavour to reduce the prevalence of smoking in Sri Lanka.