The National Authority on Tobacco & Alcohol (NATA) has launched a mobile application (VNATA (Medial Violation App)) to identify the illegal activities of tobacco and alcohol in the country, NATA Chairman Dr. Samadhi Rajapaksa said.

Addressing the media at the Information Department, he said any person can download the above app and send a photograph to the authority while following simple steps.

Dr. Rajapaksa said that this application does not require any personal details for the registration and the authorities will hold full responsibility for the personal details and mobile numbers.

"People can upload an image of a certain incidents which they think is a violation of the national Tobacco and Alcohol act. People do not need to know the whole act. If they think that smoking or using alcohol in public places, on television programs, social media or in newspapers is a violation, they can take a photo or screen shot and upload it to the NATA department through the app, " he said.

The accuracy of the uploaded images will be examined by personnel including the entire police force, the PHI union, excise department officials, customs officers, medical officers of health (MOH), and food and drug observers, according to Dr. Rajapaksa, and legal action will be taken against the suspects. (Chaturanga Samarawickrama)