Business
Encouraging ‘Last Mile Smokers’ to quit
New IPS publication –
• IPS study highlights need for community-based behavioural interventions to encourage ‘Last Mile Smokers’ to quit.
• Targetted interventions will be more fruitful, cost-effective and sustainable.
Sri Lanka has made important strides in reducing the overall smoking prevalence rate over time. However, if smoking prevalence is to decrease further, targetted measures are needed to reduce the prevalence rate among the ‘Last Mile Smokers’, according to the latest IPS Publication “Tobacco Smoking Cessation: Lessons and Policy Options for Sri Lanka”.
The Last Mile Smokers refers to the groups in which the smoking prevalence rates are higher than the overall smoking prevalence rate in the country. Last Mile Smokers are, in general, less responsive to system-wide measures such as smoking and advertising bans as well as health awareness campaigns. Penetrating these hard-to-reach groups is important and should be considered as a priority area to slash smoking prevalence in Sri Lanka.
Targetted smoking cessation policies and programmes play a vital role in supporting Last Mile Smokers to quit smoking effectively. Further, using evidence-based cessation programmes significantly increase the likelihood of successfully quitting the smoking habit.
As the World Health Organization (WHO) notes, in Sri Lanka, 51.8% of the current smokers have attempted to quit smoking, while 35% of users have been advised to quit tobacco usage by healthcare providers.1
Smoking cessation interventions take different approaches and their effectiveness also vary. Different approaches in cessation should be used in different settings – and in combination with one another to improve effectiveness. Some cessation approaches are suitable only for specified contexts.
Behavioural approaches have a significant influence on smoking cessation interventions and policies because tobacco smoking is an acquired behaviour. These behavioural approaches in cessation, boost or support motivation to resist the urge to smoke and develop smokers’ capacity to stick to their resolutions. Furthermore, behavioural methods can work primarily with individuals, or with groups or communities.
The IPS study also confirms that more attention needs to be given to protect the rural, low-income and estate sector smokers who are more vulnerable and susceptible to tobacco industry campaigns.
The study makes the following recommendations:
• Give priority to the Last Mile Smokers and their socio-demographic backgrounds when preparing the national framework for cessation support so that, cessation programmes can be tailor-made to best suit the Last Mile Smokers.
• Focus more on introducing and implementing targeted behavioural cessation interventions, and community-based interventions in particular.
• Widen/expand prevailing community-based cessation interventions such as ‘Tobacco-free Zones’ which are identified to be beneficial in reaching a wider audience at a relatively lower cost and a shorter period of time.
• Implement continuous follow-ups on smokers even after they quit to ensure there is no relapse.
• Combine tobacco smoking cessation interventions with other tobacco controlling policy interventions such as increasing tobacco taxes, and banning the sale of single stick cigarettes.
The report is authored by Sunimalee Madurawala and Chathurga Karunanayake.
Access the full report here: https://www.ips.lk/tobacco-smoking-cessation-lessons-and-policy-options-for-sri-lanka/
The Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Sri Lanka (AHK Sri Lanka) proudly facilitated the first-ever Sri Lankan delegation’s participation at Drupa 2024, the world’s largest trade fair for the printing industry and technology. Held after an eight-year hiatus, Drupa 2024 was a landmark event, marking significant advancements and opportunities in the global printing industry.
AHK Sri Lanka played a pivotal role in organising and supporting the delegation, which comprised 17 members from the Sri Lanka Association for Printers (SLAP), representing eight companies from the commercial, newspaper, stationery printing, and packaging industries. This pioneering effort by AHK Sri Lanka not only showcased the diverse capabilities of Sri Lanka’s printing sector but also facilitated vital bilateral discussions with key stakeholders from the German printing industry.
Business
Unveiling Ayugiri: Browns Hotels & Resorts sets the stage for a new era in luxury Ayurveda Wellness
In a captivating reimagining of luxury wellness tourism, Browns Hotels & Resorts proudly unveiled the exquisite Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort Sigiriya. This momentous occasion, celebrated amidst a vibrant and serene grand opening on the 6th of June, heralds a new chapter in the Ayurveda wellness tourism landscape in Sri Lanka. Nestled amidst 54 acres of unspoiled natural splendour, Ayugiri features 22 exclusive suites and stands out as the only luxury Ayurveda wellness resort in the country offering plunge pools in every room, rendering it truly one-of-a-kind.
The grand opening of Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort was an enchanting event, where guests were captivated by the melodies of flutists and violinists resonating through Sigiriya’s lush landscapes. As traditional drummers and dancers infused the air with vibrant energy, Browns Hotels & Resorts’ CEO, Eksath Wijeratne, Kotaro Katsuki, Acting Ambassador for the Embassy of Japan and General Manager, Buwaneka Bandara, unveiled the resort’s new logo, marking a significant moment witnessed by distinguished guests from the French Embassy, Ayurveda and wellness enthusiasts along with officials from the Sigiriya area, LOLC Holdings and Browns Group.
“Our strategic expansion into wellness tourism with Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort Sigiriya symbolises a significant milestone for Browns Hotels & Resorts. Wellness tourism has consistently outperformed the overall tourism industry for over a decade, reflecting a growing global interest in travel that goes beyond leisure to offer rejuvenation and holistic well-being. By integrating the timeless wisdom of Ayurveda with modern luxury, we aim to set a new standard in luxury wellness tourism in Sri Lanka. Whether your goal is prevention, healing, or a deeper connection to inner harmony, Ayugiri offers a sanctuary for holistic well-being” stated Eksath Wijeratne.
Ayugiri encapsulates the essence of life, inspired by the lotus flower held by the graceful queens of the infamous Sigiriya frescoes. Just as the lotus emerges from the murky depths, untainted and serene,
Ayugiri invites guests on a journey of purity and rejuvenation, harmonised with a balance of mind, body and spirit, the essence of nature, echoes of culture and the wisdom of ancient Ayurvedic healing.
HNB General Insurance, one of Sri Lanka’s leading general insurance providers, has been honored as the Best General Bancassurance Provider in Sri Lanka 2024 by the prestigious Global Banking and Finance Review – UK.
The esteemed accolade underscores HNB General Insurance’s unwavering commitment to excellence and its outstanding performance in the field of bancassurance. Through dedication and hard work, the HNB General Insurance team has continuously endeavored to deliver innovative insurance solutions, cultivate strong relationships with banking partners, and provide unparalleled service to customers nationwide. This recognition is a testament to the team’s dedication and relentless pursuit of excellence in the bancassurance business.
“We are honored to receive this prestigious award, which reflects our team’s tireless efforts and dedication to delivering value-added insurance solutions and exceptional service through our bancassurance partnerships,” said Sithumina Jayasundara, CEO of HNB General Insurance. “This recognition reaffirms our position as a trusted insurance provider in Sri Lanka and motivates us to continue striving for excellence in serving our customers and communities.”
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