Cabinet Approved A Proposal To Ban Chewing And Selling Betel Leaves And Related Ingredients In Public Institutions

Cabinet has yesterday (12)approved a proposal submitted on issuing a Government circular to ban chewing and selling of Betel leaves,tobacco leaves and Areca nut products in Government instititutional premises

Health Minister Dr.Rajitha Senaratne had submitted the proposal in aim of preventing betel chewing among public to prevent spreading of Oral cancer caused due to Betel chewing according to Health Ministry.

Around 2500 Oral Cancer patients are being reported from Sri Lanka annually and in accordance to a survey conducted in 2015 around 26 percent among males and 5 percent among females of the age group 18-65 have been identified as non tobacco  smokers .

Due to spit after chewing betel leaves  caused enviornment Minister has stressed.

World Health Organization has named every ingredient in betel leaves mixture including Betel leaves as cancer agents .