Teens, the target of tobacco companies – Prof Carlo Fonseka

Rasika Somarathna

Organisations in the forefront of the anti-tobacco drive believe that tobacco is so deadly that all promotion of tobacco products should be outlawed.

While stressing that teens are the prime target of tobacco advertising, they also called for comprehensive health warnings on all tobacco packaging, including large pictorial messages warning us on the harmful effects of smoking.

They mentioned these at a workshop to educate schoolchildren on the harmful effects of tobacco smoking at Ananda College, Colombo.

The event chaired by National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol (NATA) head Prof Carlo Fonseka, was held to coincide with World No Tobacco Day.

Addressing students, Prof Fonseka outlined how advertising targets teens and lure them into smoking by promoting the practice as one which is associated with health, glamour, sporting prowess, attraction, popularity etc.

He told students: “Instead of such qualities, smoking makes you look like a fool, makes you physically fragile and unattractive and finally kills you at a young age.”

At the event, organised by Cancer Care Association (CAA) in collaboration with Jeewaka Foundation, Dr Samadhi Rajapaksa of the CCA said research has proven that tobacco negatively affects the health of a person’s body and brain.

“What is more, smoking doesn’t just harm smokers, it also harms everyone around them,” he added.

Dr Rajapaksa said nearly nine out of 10 smokers start smoking by the age of 18, and more than 80 percent of underage smokers choose brands from among the top three most heavily advertised.

“The more young people are exposed to cigarette advertising and promotional activities, the more likely they are to smoke,” he said.

He said around 20,000 deaths in Sri Lanka can be directly attributed to smoking.

“The total number of deaths occurring due to tobacco related diseases in a day is between 60 to 70. The tobacco industry targets young people like you to replace the number of deaths occurring. Therefore I request you all not to take up this habit,” he said.

Quoting the World Health Organisation, he said the global tobacco related epidemic kills nearly six million people each year, of which more than 600, 000 are non-smokers dying from breathing second-hand smoke.

“Unless we act, the epidemic will kill more than eight million people every year by 2030. More than 80 percent of these preventable deaths will be among people living in low- and middle-income countries,” Dr Rajapaksa said.

He urged students to advise elders of its harmful effects on both themselves and those around them.

Ananda College Principal Kithsiri Liyanagamage also spoke.

The Deputy Principal, teachers in charge of drug prevention and CCA Secretary Dr. Iresh Jayaweera were also present.