The Sri Lankan government may impose a ban on the retail sale of cigarettes and 180ml quarter bottles of liquor, reported News 1st. The necessary laws and regulations in this regard are being drafted at present, Dr. Samadhi Rajapaksa, the Chairman of the National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol (NATA) was quoted as saying by News 1st.

“By drafting regulations to ban the retail sale of cigarettes those who cannot quit the habit of smoking will be compelled to purchase a full packet of cigarettes, which will contain 20 per pack,” she said, adding buying capacity will reduce in this way. 

The aim is to bring down the tendency to buy cigarettes. A survey revealed that on average 60 deaths are reported daily in Sri Lanka, due to the consumption of tobacco.

In another survey, by the National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol, estimated on average 50-55 deaths are reported daily, due to the consumption of liquor.

15.8 percent of those above the age of 14 in the country consume tobacco, the survey revealed.

“When considering alcohol, overall, 19.38 percent of those above the age of 14 in the country consume liquor; among males, 40.8 percent consume liquor, while 0.26 percent of females consume liquor,” NATA Chairman was quoted as saying by the report.