January 08, Colombo (LNW): Tobacco consumption remains a major public health concern in Sri Lanka, with close to 22,000 deaths recorded every year as a direct or indirect result of smoking, according to figures released by the Alcohol and Drug Information Centre.
Health advocates warn that non-communicable diseases account for more than four-fifths of all deaths nationwide, with tobacco identified as one of the leading contributors alongside poor diet, physical inactivity and harmful alcohol use.
The Centre estimates that around 1.5 million adults across the country continue to smoke regularly, placing a heavy burden on the healthcare system.
Speaking at a media briefing in Colombo, Chairman of the National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol, Dr Ananda Rathnayake, stressed that tobacco-related deaths are not confined to Sri Lanka alone. He noted that globally, a life is lost to tobacco use roughly every six seconds, underscoring the scale of the crisis.
The briefing also drew attention to recent policy concerns. Medical professional Dr Sajeeva Ranavira pointed out that cigarette taxation has been reduced since 2021, a move he suggested could undermine efforts to discourage smoking and reverse gains made in tobacco control over previous years.
Health experts at the event urged stronger regulatory measures, public awareness campaigns and fiscal policies to curb tobacco use and reduce preventable deaths in the years ahead.
