“The Sri Lankan government became a party to the FCTC by ratifying the Tobacco Control Act in December 2006. It has already begun implementing a comprehensive advertising ban including promotion and sponsorship, smoking in enclosed public areas and sales to minors (21 years and below). As citizens concerned about the health of the people of this country, we all have a responsibility and right to see that these prohibitions are properly and adequately enforced. Any violations of the law may be brought to the notice of the National Authority on Tobacco & Alcohol (NATA).” (Image: This smoker from the Orient has mastered the art of inhaling smoke through his ears or eye-sockets and breathing it out his mouth.)_________________________
by Manjari Peiris
(May 31, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) The theme for World No Tobacco Day (May 31st) is "Tobacco-free Youth". In the world today, there are approximately 1.8 billion young people (between 10-24). Of them 85% live in developing countries. These young people having survived the vulnerable childhood period are generally healthy.
Nevertheless with the efforts of the tobacco industry to hook new, young and potentially life-long tobacco users, the health of a significant percentage of the world's youth is seriously threatened by their deadly products. Since nicotine is a highly addictive substance, child and adolescent experimentation can easily lead to lifetime tobacco dependence. There is risk of youth and children becoming a prey to industry strategies.
Tobacco is the leading preventable cause of death in the world. It is the only legal consumer product that kills one third to one half of those who use it, as intended by its manufacturers, making the victims dying on average 15 years prematurely.
The present wise and fashionable trend among youth is to be away from smoking!
Why does the tobacco industry need to catch teenagers and young adults?
The industry must look for new customers for them to survive by replacing those who die or quit. It must catch them young.
Most people get initiated to smoking before the age of 18, and almost a quarter of those individuals begin to smoke before the age of 10.
The more children are initiated into smoking at a young age, the more they are likely to become regular smokers and less likely to quit.
Why is tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship, a threat to young people?
The more young people are exposed to tobacco smoking, the more they are likely to use tobacco.
The industry falsely associates the use of its products with desirable qualities such as glamour, energy and sex appeal as well as with exciting activities and adventure.
The widespread advertising of tobacco normalizes tobacco use, portraying it as being no different from any other consumer product, and makes it difficult for young people to understand the hazards of smoking.
Young people underestimate the risk of becoming addicted to nicotine and the tragic health consequences that can follow.
Why do we need a total ban on advertising, promotion and sponsorship?
The tobacco industry spends billions of dollars each year, spreading its marketing net as widely as possible to attract young customers, targeting young in fun and familiar environments, at the movies, on the internet, at fashion, musical shows and concerts, etc.
World's first health treaty
The WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) was the first health treaty negotiated under the auspices of the World Health Organization and was developed a few years ago in response to the current globalization of the tobacco epidemic. The FCTC is an evidence -based treaty that reaffirms the right of all people to the highest standard of health. The FCTC represents a paradigm shift in developing a regulatory strategy to address addictive substances; in contrast to previous drug control treaties, the FCTC asserts the importance of demand reduction strategies as well as supply issues.
The spread of the tobacco epidemic is facilitated through a variety of complex factors with cross-border effects, including trade liberalization and indirect foreign investment. Other factors such as global marketing, transnational tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship, and the international movement of contraband and counterfeit cigarettes, have also contributed to the explosive increase in tobacco use.
The FCTC negotiations have already unleashed a process that has resulted in visible differences at country level. The success of the FCTC as a tool for public health will depend on the energy and political commitment that the respective countries would contribute in implementing it. The success of it would bring forth a global public health gain for everybody.
Sri Lankan situation
The Sri Lankan government became a party to the FCTC by ratifying the Tobacco Control Act in December 2006. It has already begun implementing a comprehensive advertising ban including promotion and sponsorship, smoking in enclosed public areas and sales to minors (21 years and below). As citizens concerned about the health of the people of this country, we all have a responsibility and right to see that these prohibitions are properly and adequately enforced. Any violations of the law may be brought to the notice of the National Authority on Tobacco & Alcohol (NATA).
In this regard ,segments in society, such as the law enforcers, media and the legal sector, have to prevent the industry from enhancing its image by offering them rewards which they really do not deserve. Tobacco or tobacco smoking is a social, health and legal problem.
- Sri Lanka Guardian
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