ADIC urges presidential candidates to address drug, alcohol issues

Colombo, August 27 (Daily Mirror) - The Alcohol and Drug Information Center (ADIC) has put forward 12 key recommendations for the upcoming presidential candidates, focusing on tackling the pressing issues related to alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs in Sri Lanka. 

These recommendations emphasize the need for strong policies and actions to address the economic, health, and social challenges associated with substance abuse.

ADIC highlights that alcohol and drug use in Sri Lanka contribute significantly to premature deaths, with smoking and alcohol responsible for nearly 100 deaths daily. The Ministry of Health reports that 8 out of 10 preventable deaths are caused by non-communicable diseases, two of the major factors being smoking and alcohol use. Alarmingly, individuals in Sri Lanka spend around 121 crore rupees daily on alcohol and smoking, creating a heavy economic burden.

ADIC stresses that the government is losing more than it gains from taxes on alcohol and cigarettes. For instance, while the excise revenue from alcohol in 2022 was 165 billion rupees, the associated health and economic costs totaled 237 billion rupees. A similar trend is seen in cigarette taxes, where the 88 billion rupees collected in 2016 were outweighed by health costs amounting to 214 billion rupees.

Ahead of the September 21 presidential election, ADIC has proposed the following recommendations for candidates to include in their manifestos:

1. Introduce a scientific tax formula to increase excise duties on alcohol and cigarettes annually, reflecting inflation and economic growth.
2. Develop a system to collect taxes already owed by tobacco and alcohol companies and prevent future tax evasion.
3. Strengthen and enforce existing laws to reduce alcohol and tobacco promotion and consumption, including banning the sale of single cigarettes and restricting sales near schools and religious institutions.
4. Stop issuing temporary liquor licenses and restrict liquor licenses granted under tourism pretexts.
5. Implement the National Policy on Alcohol Control approved in 2016.
6. Boost law enforcement efforts to combat illegal alcohol, tobacco, and drugs.
7. Launch a national prevention program aimed at youth to discourage substance use.
8. Expand counseling and support services for those struggling with alcohol and tobacco addiction, including enhancing the "1948" Quit Line.
9. Fulfill commitments under the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC).
10. Introduce a licensing system for the sale of cigarettes and tobacco products.
11. Prevent interference from the tobacco and alcohol industries in policy-making.
12. Educate the public on the dangers of cannabis use and enact laws to counter media promotion of it.