Smoke, drink, pay

21 December 2010 08:57 am Views - 12795

A new policy will be implemented by the Health Ministry from January 2011, which makes it compulsory for alcohol and cigarette users to pay for any government medical services they receive, Health Ministry officials said today.

The Ministry official said that non-communicable diseases (NCD) such as diabetes, strokes, heart attacks, kidney failure, cancer and high blood pressure are often due to the excessive consumption of alcohol and cigarettes. He said the ministry has decided to take these measures to encourage a drop in people’s consumption of alcohol and cigarettes.

“In Sri Lanka about 350 people die each day due to NCD’s. 80% of those who suffer from NCD’s are between the ages 40-50. Out of that number, 80% of them are male. This age group is essential for the growth and prosperity of a family. We have to put a stop to this trend because when people suffer and die from these types of diseases their children don’t have parental support or a proper upbringing and the economy is burdened,” the ministry official said. (Olindhi Jayasundere)