Inflight tobacco sales; Authorities concerned

by Kurulu Kariyakarawana

Law enforcement authorities have expressed concern over the sale of tobacco products to inbound travellers at duty free shopping facilities on local and foreign airlines, as it violates Customs laws. Customs and Ceylon Tobacco Company (CTC) officials are concerned over these sales. The former is solely responsible to fight illicit tobacco products from entering the country and the latter is the sole manufacturer of cigarettes in Sri Lanka.

With the introduction of the National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol Act No. 27 of 2006, the sale of cigarettes and tobacco products were prohibited at duty free shops of the airport arrivals lounge.

The Government initiated this move to discourage smoking in Sri Lanka. Only outbound passengers could purchase cigarettes from duty free shops at the departure lounge.

But the Sunday Observer learns that about 10 out of 23 local and foreign airlines operate with the country sell cigarettes in their in-flight duty free shops regardless whether it is a passenger bound for Sri Lanka or any other destination.

Previous Customs regulations enabled passengers to bring in (or buy from duty free shops) 200 sticks of cigarettes or a carton of 10 packets each containing 20 cigarettes.

But the law was amended a years ago and bringing in cigarettes to the country is prohibited, Customs sources said.

A senior official from the CTC questioned whether the airlines operating in Sri Lanka were notified about the law, as sale of tobacco products to inbound passengers to Sri Lanka is a punishable offence.

When contacted an official of the Airport and Aviation Services said that they are concerned only about the sale of such products in the airport duty free shops.