Call for pictorial warnings on cigarette packs

by Ananda KANNANGARA

The National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol (NATA) called upon cigarette manufacturers to print pictorial warning labels on cigarette packs since they could easily make people aware on the harmful effects of tobacco use.

NATA Chairman Prof. Carlo Fonseka said if warning labels are displayed in picture form on cigarette packs, the consumption of cigarettes in Sri Lanka could be drastically reduced.

He said if the use of cigarettes and other tobacco related products are not controlled now, thousands of our younger generation will die of oral and lung cancers in the future.

Prof. Fonseka made this announcement at a media briefing organised by Jeewaka Foundation President Manjari Peiris.

"Due to the printing of these labels, at least a 60 percent reduction on cigarette sales has been reported from countries such as Canada, Australia, Thailand, Singapore and Nepal," he said.

Prof. Fonseka said even three years ago, the NATA had emphasised the importance of printing pictorial warning labels.

"Unfortunately, the authorities ignored our repeated warnings. Otherwise, we could have stopped a large number of elders and youngsters from getting involved in cigarette smoking".

"It would also help reduce a colossal sum of money that is annually spent by the Health Department on cancer patients," he said.

Prof. Fonseka said the matter is before the Legal Draughtman's Department and will be gazetted under the Tobacco and Alcohol Act before January next year.

Dr. Samadhi Rajapaksa of the Maharagama National Cancer Institute (NCI), said over 18,000 new cancer patients seek medical attention from the NCI annually of which 75 percent are due to tobacco smoking.

Jeewaka Foundation President Manjari Peiris said the media must play a major role to take the anti-tobacco message effectively to the public.