The Tobacco Menace is a grave concern to the Women and Children"
Speaking at the launching ceremony of the District Tobacco Control Cells,
His Excellency the President of Sri Lanka Mahinda Rajapaksa identified the
tobacco menace as a matter of grave concern to the women and children in the
country.
"Smoking plunges many families into poverty. This has lead to many women and
children to suffer in silence", observed the President.
While acknowledging that the eradication of the tobacco, alcohol and drug
menace is not an easy task, the President said, "A task being difficult
doesn't mean that we would back out. That is not my way. Terrorism that was
portrayed as an invincible menace has been totally erased from this country
today. So defeating 'tobacco smoke' may not be so difficult provided we
adopt correct measures. By the year 2015, the tobacco menace should be
totally eradicated". This was greeted with a resounding ovation.
The launching ceremony of the District Tobacco Control Cells was held 29 May
2009 at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo. It was well attended by a
mix of many notable political and religious dignitaries and high-ranking
officials from the health, police, excise and the legal departments
representing both the center and the provinces. These officials are expected
to play key roles in the newly created cells, which are expected to give
more muscle to the National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol Act's
implementation programme in the districts.
This event was organized by the National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol
(NATA) and also marked the launching of the NATA website. Hon. Nimal
Siripala de Silva, the Minister of Healthcare and Nutrition and Prof. Carlo
Fonseka, Chairman, National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol also spoke.
The event was followed by an orientation workshop on the District Tobacco
Control Cells, conducted for the provincial and district heads of the
health, police and the excise departments by the NATA
Jai Maharaj, Jyotishi
Om Shanti
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