by Ananda Kannangara
The National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol (NATA) has called upon law enforcement officers countrywide to strictly monitor the ban imposed on the sale of tobacco related products and alcohol at places in close proximity to schools and other educational institutions, Chairman, NATA Prof. Carlo Fonseka said.
Prof. Fonseka said a number of complaints regarding the use of cigarettes and alcohol by schoolchildren are being received by the Authority. He said school principals, teachers, parents and also elders must to be vigilant on the behaviour of children.
“On the other hand most schoolchildren easily get used to cigarettes and alcohol as they are freely available at shops and temporary erected outlets that are located near schools”.
In addition the sale of these items must also be banned near temples, churches, kovils and mosques.
Quoting statistics Prof. Fonseka said during the 20th century over 100 million people including children all over the world died due to tobacco related diseases.
He said if the already imposed law to control tobacco is not monitored by the authorities, considering that it is a national need, the death rate could be doubled during this century.