Anti tobacco and alcohol walk :

Hakmana sets the trend

It has been long established that tobacco and alcohol are the leading causes of preventable deaths and disease the world over. The situation in Sri Lanka is similar to the world status with nearly 20,000 new cases of cancer being reported every year. Approximately, 60 deaths are reported daily due to tobacco related illnesses.

The cost of cigarette smoking is not just on health but also economical. The huge economical burden of tobacco amounts to Rs 76,150 M per year. That is Rs208 M per day. This is roughly the cost of the Southern Highway (Rs 96,150 m) or twice the cost of the Hambantota Port (Rs 47,500m).

At the family level, the 'cost' of smoking is poverty, malnourishment and reduced educational privileges to children.

Tobacco related negative effects are not merely problems of the smoker but also the main reason for suffering in many families, not forgetting family members being directly exposed to passive smoking.

The MOH Hakmana has embarked on a mission to eradicate the tobacco related social crisis from the area. The office of MOH, Hakmana has drawn a promising road map of events expanding to an entire year covering the Hakmana area.

All events, meetings, conferences and educational programs are conducted by the MOH staff of Hakmana with the collaboration of the divisional secretariat of Hakmana Pradeshiya Sabha, Hakmana police and Hakmana Shasanarakshaka Bala Mandalaya.

With the able help of NATA (National Authority for Tobacco and Alcohol) and ADIC (Alcohol and Drugs Information Centre) the program, has achieved success in discouraging more than 98% of the business community to stop selling tobacco and tobacco related products. This was done only through health education and awareness programs.

The MOH office of Hakmana organized yet another program to prevent tobacco related effects on 23September, through a series of events and a humble appeal to stop consuming tobacco and related products in Hakmana.

This anti smoking and alcohol march was organized with the collaboration of the zonal education office Mulatiyana.

Schoolchildren from 70 schools in the zone, teachers principals, delegates from Pradeshiya Sabha, Divisional Secretariat, bhikkhus, MOH staff, and doctors representing regional director of health services MOH and staff of Mulatiyana M.O.H.office and Hakmana police took part.

Mothers' supportive groups of Hakmana, Mulatiyana and Kirinda Puhulwella M.O.H.divisions also participated.

Posters and banners were displayed during the walk urging the public to quit smoking and consuming alcohol. Special attention was given to discourage young children and school leavers from taking up smoking. Leaflets were distributed with health education information on the harmful effects of tobacco and alcohol.

A Street drama was presented by the schoolchildren of Kongala Maha Vidyalaya and Methodist College, Hakmana.