A renewed discussion has emerged on the need to ban the sale of single-stick cigarettes, with officials of the National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol (NATA) raising the issue at a recent meeting of the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Health, Mass Media and Women’s Empowerment.
NATA officials noted that 104 countries worldwide have already banned the sale of cigarettes individually and stressed that a similar law is necessary in Sri Lanka.
They pointed out that when cigarettes are sold individually, consumers do not see the health warnings printed on cigarette packaging.
The committee meeting was held in Parliament under the chairmanship of MP Dr. Nihal Abeysinghe.
Officials informed the committee that approximately 22,000 people die each year due to tobacco and alcohol consumption, resulting in an estimated annual economic loss of Rs. 225–240 billion to the country.
They also stated that steps are being taken to amend the National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol Act by introducing the required legal provisions to address the issue effectively.
The officials further emphasised the importance of imposing taxes on cigarettes after determining their prices.
Meanwhile, Committee Chair Dr. Nihal Abeysinghe told the Daily Mirror that no final decision has yet been taken on banning the sale of single-stick cigarettes and that the matter remains under discussion.
