The method used to control the tobacco consumption in the post war period in Sri Lanka
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Alcohol and Drug Information Center, North and East Provincial Programme, Sri Lanka
Publication date: 2018-03-01
Tob. Induc. Dis. 2018;16(Suppl 1):A661
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ABSTRACT
Background and challenges to implementation:
In fact, we have the bitter
experience of the ethnic conflict in north and east of Sri lanka for three
decades. During this period the public was not educated at all about the
adverse effect of the tobacco consumption. The normalcy returned in the life of
the general public when the war was ended in 2009. The trade organization and
multi-national companies attracted the people of north and east towards tobacco
in this period. Even though the sponsorships ban in Sri Lanka, Ceylon tobacco
company has build two police stations, given
loan grants to famers for tobacco cultivation and encourage shop owners to sell
cigarettes and some other similar strategies in 2010 and 2011. Objective was to empowering the
government bodies to free people from tobacco consumption and disclosed the
company strategies.
Intervention or response:
We were trained public health
officers, social and economic development officers and youth teams to expand tobacco
prevention at grass root level. We have carried out social marketing campaigns
and awareness programs to educate people through media to abolish the myths and
about tobacco among the public. Our intervention carried out among the
community as well as authorized officials to formulate law and regulation at
the same time.
Results and lessons learnt:
As results, 600 shop owners were
stopped cigarette selling and it's promotions. according to the research of
Alcohol and Drug Information Centre, 2011 to 2014 smoking has been reduced by
20% in Jaffna District Northern province. And available skillful resource
persons located in north and east provinces and they integrated best prevention
activities. authorized officers are more focused on integrating tobacco prevention activities when they are realizing the real face of Industry.
Conclusions and key recommendations:
It is useful strategy to prepare
existing structures to prevent tobacco industry interference at whatever level
in their community.