Sri Lankan Government has to spend Rs.147 billion annually to treat the patients who fall sick due to tobacco related diseases according to the Ministry Of Health,Nutrition and Indigenous Medicine.Due to this situation The Minister Of Health Dr.Rajitha Senaratne has decided to increase the taxes imposed on locally made "cigars 'and 'beedi' similar to the increase made on taxes imposed on cigarettes to further deter the smoking in the country the ministry has stated.
Health Minister has already submitted a cabinet memorandum to the cabinet to increase taxes imposed on imported cigarettes from 72% to 90% and the cabinet is due to discuss the memorandum during tomorrow's meeting
According to the Health Ministry the Minister is planning to increase the cigarette taxes by further 50% next year.
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