Smoking in public places has dropped by 90 per cent and the use of alcohol has gone down by 40 per cent since January 1, 2007, subsequent to the implementation of the Tobacco and Alcohol Control Act under President Mahinda Rajapaksa's 'Mathata Thitha' concept (Full stop to drugs and liquor), the director of the Programme Ven.Athuraliye Rathana Thero said.
Although there are 250,000 cannabis users in Sri Lanka and 40,000 heroin users, is very low when compared with the other countries.
Sri Lanka is one of four countries that have implemented laws to control the use of tobacco and alcohol. The other three are developed countries.
Tobacco and alcohol provides 12 per cent of the National income but the Government spends 22 per cent from the Budget to treat the people who fall sick due to use of tobacco and alcohol, sourced added.
Use of tobacco and alcohol is the reason for about 90 per cent of non communicable diseases such as heart ailments, diabetes, high blood pressure and cancer. There are about 4000 poisonous substances in a cigarette.
In 2007 approximately 10,821 prosecutions have been instituted and Rs. 17.5 million has been recovered by way of fines. The sale of tobacco products came down by 40 per cent at the inception of the programme and has now stabilised at 20 per cent since the implementation of the Act.
Although there are 250,000 cannabis users in Sri Lanka and 40,000 heroin users, is very low when compared with the other countries.
Sri Lanka is one of four countries that have implemented laws to control the use of tobacco and alcohol. The other three are developed countries.
Tobacco and alcohol provides 12 per cent of the National income but the Government spends 22 per cent from the Budget to treat the people who fall sick due to use of tobacco and alcohol, sourced added.
Use of tobacco and alcohol is the reason for about 90 per cent of non communicable diseases such as heart ailments, diabetes, high blood pressure and cancer. There are about 4000 poisonous substances in a cigarette.
In 2007 approximately 10,821 prosecutions have been instituted and Rs. 17.5 million has been recovered by way of fines. The sale of tobacco products came down by 40 per cent at the inception of the programme and has now stabilised at 20 per cent since the implementation of the Act.
