The Cigarette Smoking Among Sri Lankans Is On The Decrease-Health Ministry

The Cigarette Smoking percentage  among Sri Lankans is now stands as 21% according to the Ministry Of Health,Nutrition and Indigenous Medicine.This percentage is a clear reduction from the previous percentage and Smoking among youth in Sri Lanka is also on the decrease the Ministry has stated.

The Minister Of Health Dr.Rajitha Senaratne is due to introduce a Plain Cigarette Pack like in Australia with only the Brand of the Cigarette will be displayed in the Pack and surrounding surface of the Pack is empty within one month period the Ministry has stressed.

The Health Minister has stated during a meeting held at the Health Ministry recently that he along with President Maithripala Sirisena will jointly submit a Cabinet Memorandum on Next Tuesday to the Cabinet  to increase the taxes of Cigarettes from 72% to 90%.

By doing so  will try to get remove all the VAT(Value Added Tax) imposed on health services at present the Minister has further added.