Experts Propose Ban on Tobacco Access for Children
A set of proposals aimed at creating a tobacco-free generation among all children born after 2010 has been handed over to Health Minister Dr Nalinda Jayatissa.The proposals were submitted by a group led by Chairman of the National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol, Consultant Physician Dr Ananda Ratnayake, together with L. L. Amila Isuru of the Faculty of Medicine, Rajarata University, and several others.The initiative has been conceptualised under the title "A Tobacco-Free Future Generation."Under this proposal, all individuals born after 2010 would be denied access to tobacco and tobacco products, with such access to be restricted and prohibited.In addition, recommendations required to amend and update the National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol Act were also formally presented to the Health Minister.Speaking on the issue, Dr Ananda Ratnayake stated that 80 per cent of deaths in Sri Lanka are caused by non-communicable diseases, with a significant proportion linked to tobacco and alcohol consumption.He further noted that close to 80 million people die globally each year due to tobacco use alone.
