Sri Lanka faces Rs. 237 billion annual burden due to alcohol-related health issues

4 October 2024 08:26 am Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 16 Bookmark

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By Poojathmi Rivithma

The Sri Lankan government incurs an annual cost of Rs. 237 billion to address health problems linked to alcohol consumption, highlighting the significant social, economic, and health challenges posed by alcohol, according to the Alcohol and Drug Information Centre (ADIC).

Its Executive Director, Sampath De Seram, stated that global estimates suggest that alcohol consumption causes nearly 3 million premature deaths annually. Alarmingly, 8 out of 10 of these fatalities are preventable and linked to non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

In Sri Lanka, alcohol is a leading contributor to NCDs such as heart disease, cancer and respiratory illnesses.

De Seram noted that alcohol consumption in Sri Lanka is responsible for the deaths of 50 individuals each day, translating to an annual toll of between 15,000 and 20,000 lives.

In 2022, while the government generated Rs. 165 billion in revenue from alcohol taxes, the overall economic cost of alcohol consumption reached Rs. 237 billion, far surpassing the revenue generated. A report by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) revealed that the financial and health costs associated with alcohol use continue to overshadow any potential revenue, raising concerns about the broader impact on the economy and public health.

The alcohol industry continues to promote its products unethically and illegally, targeting all demographics, including children and youth—the future of the nation. By appealing to young people, these companies aim to encourage early drinking and attract new customers to offset losses from preventable deaths and a decline in overall alcohol consumption.

Comments - 16

Rip Winkle Friday, 04 October 2024 08:44 AM

These numbers seem to be grossly exaggerated. Furthermore, it's an accepted fact that socioeconomic issues are a predominant cause for alcohol abuse among men.

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Further Increases of Taxes for Alcohol and Smoking Needed Friday, 04 October 2024 06:20 PM

Better if the government imposes 200 to 500 percent in Taxes on alcohol consumption and smoking of cigarettes, cigars etc. Half of the taxes will be used to educate the public on the ill effects of them and other nation building programs. The other half are for the medical needs of these smokers and alcohol abuse sickness in the future. Current taxes imposed are insufficient to provide comprehensive medical coverage. Some will comment there will be an increase in illegal setup’s of alcohol distribution outlets. Those who frequent these outlets know the materials used will shorten their lifespan, thereby reducing the dependence of free medical care. Non drinker and Non Smoker Taxpayer’s should not be footing any medical care of abusers.

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Jude Friday, 04 October 2024 09:00 AM

MORE than alcohol, cigarettes causing government Over 500 billion rupees to maintain maharagama cancer hospital and treatment to Cancer patients in hospitals countrywide. Government must impose a heavy Levy to the monopolistic CTC. More than the tax revenue collect from CTC the government spending treatment to Cancer patients islandwide. Government seriously impose a levy. CTC The company 84% owned by BRITISH AMERICAN TOBACCO INTERNATIONAL AND MINORITY OWNER PHILIP MORRIS INTERNATIONAL. WITH TOBACCO BEING ADDICTIVE AND THE SINGLE GREATEST CAUSE OF PREVENTABLE DEATH GLOBALLY. NPP GOVERNMENT MUST SERIOUSLY DO SOMETHING FOR THIS MENACE.

1 12

M Fahim Friday, 04 October 2024 09:20 AM

Government earnings Tax from Alcohol and spending on Alcohol related health issues. Its balance budget.

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Tissa Fernando Friday, 04 October 2024 09:40 AM

In the process it provides jobs to millions in Alcohol and health sectors as well as support industries. If no legal alcohol is available, then illegal kassippu will thrive.

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Fact Friday, 04 October 2024 09:57 AM

Taxes paid upfront by the consumers at the time of purchase doesn't reach the treasury always. Non drinking tax payers share a portion of the burden.

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An Island of protruding bellies. Friday, 04 October 2024 09:33 AM

Alcoholism, drugs, smoking and OBESITY are all affecting Sri Lanka's society and economy in major way. If we take steps to control this menace Sri Lanka will definitely be able to save millions that it spends on health. The consumption of alcohol has been destroying the lives of people in plantations. Most people in Sri Lanka have no idea about nutrition and obesity has reached pandemic level. Consumption of wheat based food such as bread, nun, kottu, fried shorteats such rolls, sweet beverages has helped to increase obesity and noncommunicable diseases such heart disease, cancer and diabetes. Most people don't like to walk and ride tuktuks even to travel 100 meters. We have ocean around the island, many rivers and lakes inland. However, most of us cannot swim. It's high time that the ministries of health, education, and sports start island wide campaigns to promote public health.

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Charith Friday, 04 October 2024 10:29 AM

Purely from a veracity of facts angle, this number of 237Bn seems grossly exaggerated and frankly untrue. It begs to question if the number is intentionally misleading with the aim of getting undue mileage of the story which would be malicious and unethical. Sri Lanka's entire budget on Healthcare is around possibly ~500Bn. And there are so many other factors which will pose much more of a challenge such as issues linked to Genetics, Diet and Obesity such as Diabetes, Cardiac conditions etc. , Central Province water quality issues related Kidney ailments and even smoking

3 7

Increases in Cost In Every Aspect Of Medical Care Friday, 04 October 2024 06:36 PM

Medical cost is ever increasing. CT scans, X-rays, chemotherapy Treatments, medical care personnel salaries, Pre and Post hospitalisation follow up’s, medications etc are concerning in many parts of the world too. No country is immune from these increases and the amount announced is most likely true.

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Rajan V Pillai Friday, 04 October 2024 11:59 AM

More and more revenue from excise tax means morre and more deaths, more and more expenses on Hospitals, more and more work for Police. On the one hand you collect revenue, and on the other it is spent on Hospitals. Government must develop an excise policy so that health and social aspects are not compromised. Control on excise policy means mushrooming of illicit distilling. The role of Religous leaders is critical in this area to create Healthy living, Healthy families, healthy Human resources.

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BuffaloaCitizen Friday, 04 October 2024 01:26 PM

We need to have a Government Medical System based on the amount of Taxes each one of us pays. My tax should not be used to provide free medical treatment for a private bus driver or three wheeler fellow who habitually drinks everyday in the evening with his earnings and does not pay a morsel of taxes to the government. We have more cases of this nature than medical treatment for those who work hard, pay their taxes and actually deserve.

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RanjithT Friday, 04 October 2024 02:54 PM

These figures seem to be somewhat skewed. Health cost is probably grossly exaggerated. How does one specifically identify the cause and attribute to alcohol? It is more a conjecture but in fairness those who consume alcohol par the taxes excise duty upfront even before consumption. Those teetotalers do not pay such taxes upfront to the government and they are getting free health service at the cost of non teetotalers. That is not fair. Fine stop legal alcohol it will lead the way to unlicensed distilleries and moonshine joints. Government looses income and have to spend more on healthcare. No one talks about drugs which is fare more dangerous. Producing alcohol is an industry and fighting to stop too is a bigger hypocritic industry.

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Tissa Fernando Friday, 04 October 2024 06:19 PM

Most of so called poor people are spending 60% of their earnings on Alcohol. Now with more subsidies, additional free money, there will be more spending on Alcohol. There is a failure of religious establishment who are focusing on their own luxuries. There is no social gathering without Alcohol, and the mentality is that they should empty the bottle/s.

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FredSnR Saturday, 05 October 2024 04:14 AM

Some very educated and interesting comments. A lot to chew and a govt that seems serious about solving its socio-economic issues

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wickrama Wijayasiri Saturday, 05 October 2024 07:29 AM

Tax it more to offset the losses. Personal choice which becomes a burden on all. What about the 5th precept of Pansil?? Majjapama mean in Moderation??

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Cecil Hedwige Saturday, 05 October 2024 08:57 AM

These health issues are due to consumption of illicit alcohol namely moonshine or commonly known as Kassippu. If prices of Alcohol are reduced these health issues would not aggravate this kind of health issues. Therefore the new Regime should concentrate on giving the hard working masses a reasonable price for Alcohol.

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