Colombo, May 31 – The Sri Lanka Medical Association (SLMA) has formally urged the government to adopt a bold tobacco control policy that would ban the sale of tobacco products to anyone born on or after the year 2010. The call was made through a press release issued ahead of World No Tobacco Day, reinforcing the SLMA’s ongoing commitment to safeguarding public health.
The proposal aligns with the global Tobacco-Free Generation (TFG) initiative, which advocates prohibiting tobacco sales to individuals born after a specified year 2010 in this case. The SLMA emphasized that the policy is grounded in ethical and human rights principles, placing the health and well-being of future generations at its core. “This policy ensures that children are not exposed to preventable harm,” the SLMA noted, “and it promises long-term social and economic benefits.”
According to the SLMA, the initiative is consistent with several international instruments, including child rights and human rights treaties that highlight the right to health and life. Among these is the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which affirms that access to health is a fundamental right. Furthermore, Sri Lanka’s National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol Act (2006) echoes the objectives of the Tobacco-Free Generation policy.
The association also referenced the World Health Organization (WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), which urges governments to protect populations particularly children from tobacco smoke exposure, prohibit sales to minors, and guard against the predatory marketing tactics of the tobacco industry.
In its appeal, the SLMA underlined the economic rationale behind the proposal. The health costs associated with tobacco-related illnesses burden the country with billions of rupees in expenditure each year. In addition, smoking contributes to increased absenteeism and reduced workplace productivity.
“This initiative,” the SLMA stated, “will ultimately foster a healthier, more productive workforce and lessen the long-term financial strain on the healthcare system.”
As World No Tobacco Day approaches, the SLMA is calling on policymakers to seize the moment and implement a visionary policy that could set a global example and help secure a tobacco-free future for the next generation.
