Policy priorities for tobacco control
BMJ 2004; 328 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.328.7446.1007 (Published 22 April 2004) Cite this as: BMJ 2004;328:1007All rapid responses
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An important piece of anti-smoking legislation came into action in
Sri Lanka on the 1st of December 2006. Under the latest National Tobacco
and Alcohol Authority act of Sri Lanka, smoking is banned in public places
such as hotels, restaurants, government offices, banks, and supermarkets.
Those who flout this regulation can face stiff financial penalties, get a
prison term or both. A similar ban on smoking in public places is due to
come into effect in England from July 1 2007 and in Wales and Northern
Ireland from April 2007. Such restrictions already exist in Ireland and
Scotland. The present legislation in Sri Lanka also bans all forms of
outdoor advertising of tobacco products and makes it an offence to sell
tobacco products to persons below the age of 21 years. From a pubic health
perspective this is a big step in the right direction by Sri Lanka in
promoting the health of its citizens.
Following an increase in tobacco control and regulatory practices in
various Western countries, several poorer developing countries were
targeted by tobacco companies in a bid to maintain global tobacco sales.
Measures employed in these countries included using sporting heroes and
popular film and music personalities to promote their specific tobacco
brands1. Messages often targeted easily influenced youngsters in these
countries, telling them that it was the ‘in-thing’ to be counted among the
smokers2. With this targeted drive tobacco sales in many countries did
boom to the horror and anguish of persons responsible for promoting good
health3. In 2004, Samarasinghe et al4 stated that ‘South Asia suffers harm
from tobacco on a scale that demands a vigorous response’. It is
heartening to note Sri Lanka has indeed listened to these warnings and
taken steps in the correct direction.
Excise duty from tobacco sales accounts for around 10% of Sri Lanka’s
total tax revenue. This important monetary issue - especially in countries
struggling to keep its citizens above the poverty line - and that some
earn their livelihood through tobacco farming has often been used by
tobacco companies to push governments into a tight corner and discourage
them from introducing firm tobacco control measures. Since gaining
independence in 1948, successive administrations in Sri Lanka have given
central importance to promoting and sustaining the health and educational
needs of its people. In South Asia, Sri Lanka is often held up as a model
because of its excellent maternal and child health indices, literacy rates
and life expectancy5. We should applaud the Sri Lankan authorities for
taking an important step towards strengthening the health of its people
and hope it encourages other developing and developed countries to take
similar first steps.
1. Simpson D. Sri Lanka: film’s big puff for smoking. Tobacco control
2003; 12: 121-2
2. Seimon T, Mehl GL. Strategic marketing of cigarettes to young
people in Sri Lanka. Tobacco Control 1998; 7: 429 - 33
3. McKay J, Ericson M. The tobacco atlas. Geneva: WHO, 2002
4. Samarasinghe D, Goonaratna C. Tobacco related harm in South Asia.
BMJ 2004; 328: 780
5. Bhutta Z, Nundy S, Abbasi K. Is there hope for South Asia?. BMJ
2004; 328: 777-8
Suranjith L Seneviratne: Consultant Clinical Immunologist, Manchester
Royal Infirmary, UK.
Ananda Wijewickrama: Consultant Physician, Infectious Diseases Hospital,
Sri Lanka.
Jennifer Perera: Professor of Microbiology, University of Colombo, Sri
Lanka.
Competing interests:
None declared
Competing interests: No competing interests
Nip the evil in the very bud on "No Tobacco Day"
We are all aware of the harmful effects of tobacco use (be it in the form of
smoking or chewing). The ill effects of tobacco consumption could be in the
form of carcinogenicity (lung, oral, esophagus), increase in the risk of
cardiovascular diseases, infertility and hitherto, unknown co-related
disorders. There are a lot of efforts going on to awaken the public and make
them learn how to stop using tobacco. There is a ban on publicity
there are no smoking zones and a ban of sale in certain restricted areas.
However, there is no ban on cultivation of tobacco and the production of
tobacco products. If say, there is a world-wide comprehensive ban on
cultivation, harvesting and refining of tobacco, then there will be no
tobacco products, no tobacco use and no need to celebrate world no tobacco
day.
Competing interests: No competing interests