By Ananda KANNANGARA
National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol (NATA),Chairman Prof. Carlo Fonseka on Friday said his Authority urged the Members of Parliament, State sector officials and the general public to help creating a tobacco smoking free Sri Lanka .
He said if people in the country take measures to discourage smokers, especially the younger generation to refrain from cigarette smoking, it will be a great help to reduce 20,000 Sri Lankans dying of lung cancer, coronary heart diseases every year.
Prof. Fonseka was addressing media briefing, conducted by Jeewaka Foundation.
Referring to international statistics, Prof. Fonseka said passive smoking or second hand smoking has also caused several threats to non-smokers. He said 700 million children and 50 million pregnant women worldwide are exposed to second hand smoking.
Prof. Fonseka also spoke on the printing of pictorial warning labels on cigarette packets since it will be a big impact to reduce the tobacco consumption.
He said number of countries including Uruguay, Singapore, Japan, Malaysia currently use pictorial warning labels on cigarette packets and it has reduced the cigarette consumption, especially among younger generation to a greater extent.
Dr. Samadhi Rajapaksa of Cancer Hospital, Maharagama urged parents to keep a close tab on their young children who could easily access to cigarette smoking due to their association with others in similar ages.
He said over 400 patients are currently warded in his hospital following cancers caused due to active and passive smoking.
He also urged authorities to implement smoke -free air laws that cover all indoor work places and other public places.
http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2011/08/21/new21.asp
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