NATA all out to reduce alcohol consumption

By Saman Indrajith

Chairman of the National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol (NATA), Dr. Samadhi Rajapaksa yesterday said that they would increase the minimum age for sale, purchase and promotion of tobacco products from 21 to 24 in 2022.

Rajapaksa told the media that NATA had decided to amend the National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol Act next year. The increase of the minimum age for sale, purchase and promotion of tobacco products was one of the proposed amendments to the Act, he said.

“Already advertising, promotion and sponsorship of tobacco is prohibited. We want to stop the cross border advertising of tobacco products too,” he said.

Chairman Rajapaksa said they also wanted to remove all tobacco advertisements circulating on the internet including social media.

He said that the National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol Act had been passed in 2006 and had laws related to restrictions on smoking in public places; packaging and labeling requirements; advertising, promotion and sponsorship; establishment of the National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol; and offenses and penalties.