The prevalence of many cigarette brands in Sri Lanka indicates smokers consume these products casually. That is to say, many people smoke mostly in their homes and entertainment venues, such as bars, clubs, and outside their workplaces. In Sri Lanka, smoking cigarettes transcends one’s gender, and both men and women over the age of 21 purchase them.
Can you smoke cigarettes in Sri Lanka?
Smoking is prohibited in many indoor public places and workplaces and on public transport. However, smoking is permitted in smoking areas or spaces in airports, and hotels having 30 rooms or more. Additionally, in restaurants having a seating capacity of a minimum of 30 persons, one can smoke.
How many people smoke cigarettes in Sri Lanka?
This figure is calculated taking into account the percentage of men and women aged 15 and over who smoke any tobacco product routinely. To put it differently, in Sri Lanka the smoking rate in 2020 was 22.00%. Indeed, as per the available statistics, the smoking rate has been declining marginally since 2015.
Is cigarettes a problem in Sri Lanka?
The majority of you will say “Yes” at once and yes it is a problem in many aspects, mainly in health, economic, social, and development contexts. Equally, it is a problem at the individual, community, and national levels. However, Sri Lanka is a democratic country and anyone over 21 years is permitted to smoke cigarettes or any other tobacco product.
How smoking affects globally
Annually, millions of people around the world die due to tobacco-related illnesses, from direct use of the product. Not to mention, an additional number die from illness due to passive smoking.
Economic, social, and development burden of tobacco
Do you know that Sri Lankans spend approximately Rs. 208 million on cigarettes per day (as per the annual report of CTC in 2011)? Of course, this figure may have increased to a far greater number in 2022. In hindsight, just imagine the amount of money, which could have been utilized for individual and community development. Correspondingly, did you know that they flow the revenue from the sale of cigarettes to foreign countries?
What is the cheapest smoke in Sri Lanka?
Beedi can be identified as the cheapest smoking tobacco product in Sri Lanka. Although Beedi is the cheapest form of tobacco, 97% of the total tobacco smokers are smoking cigarettes in Sri Lanka. Similarly, globally 96% of tobacco smokers are cigarette smokers.
Is smoking under 21 a crime?
The legal age for smoking is 21 years. Equally important, it is illegal for anyone to sell, in any way, cigarettes or any other tobacco products to anyone below 21 years of age. Likewise, cigarettes you cannot sell them within 100 yards of an educational institute.
Sales restrictions on tobacco products
The law prohibits the sale of tobacco products via vending machines and in educational facilities and schools. Additionally, our laws prohibit the sale of tobacco products to persons under the age of 21.
John Player Gold Leaf price
12 pack Rs 1020 and 20 pack Rs 1700 respectively
Dunhill
Switch 20 pack Rs 1900 and International 20 pack Rs 1900 respectively.
Benson & Hedges
20 pack Rs 1800
NOTE: The above prices are as at December, 2022.
