|
|
|
| Sunday, 8 January 2006 |
 |
|
 |
Features |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
|
Tobacco
Control gone up in smoke
by Manjarie Peiris Sri Lanka government should enact a comprehensive legislation and establish an authority on tobacco/alcohol control in Sri Lanka. Like all other governments that value their people's health, we need to establish an Authority as recommended by medical and health experts.
In summary, today in Sri Lanka, 80 persons a day die of tobacco-related diseases. One out of five beds in government hospitals are occupied by patients suffering from alcohol-related diseases. Legislation on tobacco is a must for implementation of comprehensive tobacco control measures in a country. Also, it is complementary and supplements to other tobacco control measures mentioned under the provisions of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC). Being a party to the FCTC, Sri Lanka is compelled to enact comprehensive legislation into the country. Quote from FCTC provisions: 'The parties are determined to give priority to their right to protect public health' 'Recalling article 12 of the International Covenant on Economics, Social and Cultural Rights, adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on 16th of December 1966, which states that it is the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health.' Unquote 'Recalling also the preamble to the Constitution of the World Health Organisation, which states that the enjoyment of the highest attainable standards of health is one of the fundamental rights of every human being without distinction of race, political belief, economic or social condition.' Also, the government should not allow the tobacco or alcohol industry to play any part in either writing or implementing any aspect of this Authority or other health policy. I would also like to emphasise the fact that regular tax rises as an important part of tobacco-alcohol control policy, will not harm government revenue, but will actually increase it, even while helping to our consumption. WHO has frequently warned against allowing the industry any influence on health policy. WHO recommends that tobacco is relatively 'inelastic' in economic terms, so although a tax/price rice cuts sales, total tax revenue actually rises and many countries are successfully using tobacco tax in this way. The relative price inelasticity of tobacco/alcohol, regular tax/price rises will reduce consumption while still earning more revenue for the government. National need The consequences of tobacco smoking and alcohol consumption are well proven. Therefore, the government along with the Health Ministry is compelled to bring legislation into this country to control tobacco/alcohol industry activities. To our knowledge, the Health Ministry is keen in enacting comprehensive legislation to safeguard the health of the people in Sri Lanka. We feel that establishing this Authority is a national need of this country. The action taken by all these companies to prevent establishing the Authority should be condemned. Through their action seeking legal remedy against establishing of the authority, they have proved their disregard about the health of human beings. They are only concerned in making money in whatsoever manner. This is like making money by killing dogs! Money should be earned in a culturally, morally and people friendly manner. But not in unrighteous way. It is strange that institutions meant for alcohol/tobacco control in this country are just keeping silent and inactive! |
|
| News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security
| Produced by Lake House |
