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Opinion

‘The true face of tobacco is disease,death and horror

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by Dr Anula Wijesundere  
Chairperson, Sri Lanka Medical Association Expert Committee on Alcohol, Tobacco & Illicit Drugs.
Vice President, Sri Lanka Temperance Association
President, Success, Colombo

Annually, the 31st day of May has been declared by the World Health Organization as the “World No Smoking Day”. The objective of this declaration was to encourage all persons smoking or chewing tobacco to quit for at least 24 hours and also create awareness amongst the people about the dangers and health risks of smoking. The theme this year is “Protecting children from tobacco industry’s interference” The theme is focused in advocating for an end to targeting of children to harmful tobacco products.

The tobacco epidemic is one of the biggest medical, public health, social, environmental and economic threats the world has faced, killing over 8 million people from tobacco use annually. This includes an estimated 1.3 million non-smokers who are exposed to the toxins in tobacco smoke.

Smoking: the global disease burden

 The WHO estimates 1.3 billion smokers worldwide of which   800 million are from the developing world.

 Globally 8.7 million deaths occur annually out of which   1.3 million deaths occur from second hand smoking.

 Globally 11,000 deaths occur daily.

 Smoking kills one person every 8 seconds somewhere in the world.

In 2020, 23.3, % of the world population used tobacco: 36.7 % of men and 7.8 % of women.

A loss of 20 years in life expectancy is observed amongst smokers.

The annual healthcare expenditure on diseases related to smoking is US $1.4 trillion

 Smoking is the largest, single and preventable cause of death in the developing world.

From World Health Organization (WHO)

https://www.who.int campaign.

WHO Global Report on trends in prevalence of tobacco use 2000 -2025

Tobacco use: The Sri Lankan Scenario 

 19.4% overall (3.2 million adults), 36.2% of men, and 4.9 % of women currently use tobacco. (1)

  9.1% overall (1.5 million adults), 19.7% of men, and < 0.1% of women currently smoked tobacco. (1)

13.4 overall (2.2 million adults), 23.4% of men, and4.9% of women currently used smokeless tobacco. ,(1)

Currently over 1.5 million Sri Lankans smoke 7.74 million cigarettes daily. (2)

Sri Lankans spend Rs 520 million daily or Rs 189.8 billion yearly on tobacco use (2)

 20,000 Sri Lankans die annually from tobacco related diseases. (3)

57 people die a day due to tobacco use (3)

 Annual health care expenditure related to diseases associated with smoking alone is Rs 89.37 billion. (3)

The above statistics clearly showcase the heavy burden on the state resulting from tobacco use.

From: (1). GATS Global Adult Tobacco Survey. Fact Sheet Sri Lanka 2020.

(2)  Sri Lanka Customs and CTC Price Notice Data. Cigarette Sales and Expenditure in 2022 – Compiled by ADIC

(Alcohol & Drug Information Centre)

(3)  National Authority on Tobacco & Alcohol. Fact Sheet 2018. Be Free from Tobacco

The Nature and Composition of Cigarettes:

No level of tobacco inhalation is safe for your health.  Considering that tobacco kills more than half its regular uses, tobacco is indeed rotten, inside out and outside in… Thus, smoking can be justifiably called suicidal to the smoker. As passive smoking is equally harmful to family members, tobacco can be considered homicidal as well.  Furthermore, smoking is extremely teratogenic to the unborn baby and tobacco can therefore referred to as an infanticide too.

Tobacco smoke contains more than 3000 toxic chemicals.  Of this number about 300 chemicals are associated with a variety of diseases, while 50 have been proven to be carcinogenic. Among other chemicals, tobacco smoke contains nicotine, toluene, butane, ammonia,cadmium, hydrogen cyanide and carbon monoxide.

The hazards of tobacco inhalation are clearly evident when we realise that its constituents are utilised to produce many toxic compounds. Nicotine is used commercially to make insecticides.  Toluene is an industrial solvent while ammonia is found in toilet disinfectants.

 Cigarette lighter fluid contains butane while carbon monoxide is the gas that emanates from car exhaust fumes.  Cyanide capsules were utilised by the   LTTE terrorist suicide carders.

Tobacco and Nicotine –

Nicotine is the single most active ingredient in tobacco with numerous toxic effects. Without nicotine addiction there will be no tobacco industry. This certainly destroys the legal status that smoking is a matter of choice. Nicotine is addictive, psycho active, and induces tolerance.  Most importantly, nicotine apart from its toxicity, is carcinogenic, atherogenic, mutagenic and teratogenic.

Smokeless Tobacco / e cigarettes/ vaping devices / electronic nicotine devices.

Sri Lanka faces a mounting crisis as vaping gains popularity among women and schoolchildren. Although the incidence of smoking tobacco among women is very low at < 0.1%, 4.9% of women currently used smokeless tobacco. (1).  E cigarettes are banned in Sri Lanka but are smuggled in through air ports and sea ports. And found in several schools

 E cigarettes are currently sold and distributed on line as electronic devices which contain liquid nicotine. Their identification is difficult as they are manufactured in various forms as perfume bottles, wrist watches, pen drives and power banks, etc.

Vaping affects students as nicotine exposure can impact learning, memory and attention, and lead to increased risk of addiction to other illicit drugs. Every effort must be made to eradicate this menace and safeguard the future of the nation’s youth.

Smoking and Heart Disease.

Cardio vascular diseases (Heart attacks) are the leading cause of death globally and smoking is indeed   a major risk factor for heart attacks.

Smoking promotes formation of cholesterol containing unstable atherosclerotic plaques within the coronary arteries which rupture causing heart attacks.

Smoking increases the level of total cholesterol and the bad cholesterol – LDL

Smoking decreases the good cholesterol – HDL

Carbon Monoxide in smoke reduces myocardial blood supply.

Smoking increases the blood pressure.

The very act of smoking induces angina.

Smoking is an important contributory factor leading to strokes or brain attacks.??

Rupture of atherosclerotic plaques in the aorta can cause sudden death. (repeat)?

Smoking and diseases of the Respiratory System

The toxins within tobacco smoke cause diseases of the respiratory tract by the following detrimental effects.

1.Changing the nature of the mucosal cells lining the respiratory tract and making it pre-cancerous (squamous metaplasia)

2. Destroying the action of the cilia which wafts off pathogens entering the respiratory tract thus promoting disease.

3. Changing the nature of respiratory tract secretions making the secretions thick and viscid.?

The diseases of the respiratory tract associated directly with smoking are-

 chronic bronchitis, emphysema and carcinoma of pharynx, larynx and bronchus. Smoking also aggravates bronchial asthma and pneumonia and leads to pulmonary heart disease (Cor pulmonale).

 In 1955, Prof Richard Doll & Dr Bradford Hill clearly proved the direct association of smoking with bronchial cancer.  The incidence of bronchial carcinoma is twenty times higher among smokers than non-smokers.

Smoking & Cancer.: 

Smoking is also directly associated with carcinoma of the tongue, cheek, lips, nose esophagus, stomach, bladder, cervix pancreas, kidney and colon.

Other harmful effects of smoking,

These include gum infection, gastric and duodenal ulceration, peripheral vascular disease with gangrene of toes and osteoporosis, leading to fractures.

Smoking also leads to deterioration of vision from toxic amblyopia and macular degeneration.

Maternal smoking during pregnancy

Maternal smoking can increase pregnancy loss via ectopic pregnancies and miscarriages. It is also very harmful to the unborn baby, resulting in the following detrimental effects in the baby.

Low birth weight babies – small for dates or pre term births with increased risk of illness disability and death.

Congenital abnormalities in the foetus

Poor cognitive function

Development of small tests with less sperms.

Smoking during pregnancy   also leads to delay in establishment of breast feeding and poorer quantity and quality of milk produced.

Smoking and male infertility

Smoking can make men impotent by reducing the blood flow to the penis and preventing an erection. Furthermore, smoking produces malformed sperms and reduces sperm counts. Cessation of smoking improves the sperm count and the quality.?

Environmental harm due to tobacco

Tobacco cultivation and consumption results in the pollution of air, water and soil. The cultivation of tobacco requires large amounts of pesticides and fertilisers which can be toxic and pollutes water supplies.  Each year tobacco cultivation uses millions of hectares of land leading to soil erosion and global deforestation. Tobacco manufacturing also produces    millions of tons of solid waste. Each year, trillions of cigarette butts are littered worldwide, with a significant portion finding their way to the oceans. Clearly tobacco is a global scourge that affects water, air and soil in a most deleterious manner, effecting sustainability and development globally.

 Cessation of Smoking

Smoking is the single most preventable cause of death worldwide.

Cessation of smoking is the most cost-effective healthcare intervention.

Prolongs life by at least 20 years.

Doctors and all health care personnel have a major role to play in helping smokers to quit smoking. Simply by telling a smoker to quit smoking is effective in 1 out of 10 addicts quitting the habit.

The advantages of overcoming smoking must be impressed briefly-

To have better health.

Be a role model for the children.

Protect the family from passive smoking.

Save the money wasted on tobacco for the betterment of the family.

Assist the smoker to stop smoking by providing counselling, non-tobacco pastels and treatment with nicotine replacement therapy if available.

The free help line introduced by NATA – “Call 1948 for free from tobacco ” has proved to be helpful and successful in overcoming tobacco addiction. This facility must be certainly be popularised and utilised to its fullest potential in the future.

Ending the tobacco menace

 In Sri Lanka the incidence of smoking has decreased as successive governments have prioritised the control of tobacco in the country. Special appreciation must be made of President Maithripala Sirisena who as the Minister of Health gave superb leadership to the campaign against tobacco consumption, earning the wrath of multinational tobacco companies.

  Sri Lanka was the first country in Asia and the fourth country in the world to ratify the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control on 11th November 2003. The control of tobacco was further strengthened by the passage of the National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol Control unanimously in the Parliament of Sri Lanka in 2006.

 The way forward to end the tobacco menace.

 1 Strengthen the NATA Act-

Strengthen current policies while addressing policy gaps.

Ban smoking in all public places – e.g.  parks, beaches, shopping malls, markets etc.  All public places to be included in the “No smoking zones. “

Ban on menthol flavoured cigarettes, e cigarettes, vaping machines, electronic nicotine devices must be implemented fully. Vigilance by custom officers at airports and sea ports is essential to confiscate these products to prevent circulation of these devices among school children.

 2. Amendments to the NATA Act.    Prohibition of the sale of single sticks of cigarettes completely. This is very important as single stick cigarettes circumvent the health warnings on packs and are much more affordable.

 3 Establishment of “smoke free zones “in each MOH area in the country, where no sales of tobacco products occur. Currently, the target of one zone in each MOH area has been achieved. Target for 2 zones in each area in the future.

4 Introduction of “Smoke Free Generation” for children born from 2010 onwards. This was successfully passed in the parliament of the United Kingdom recently.

The Sri Lanka Medical Association, NATA, ADIC and the Temperance Association of Sri Lanka hope to give leadership to promote

“Smoke Free Generations” from 2010 in the parliament of Sri Lanka in the near future

5 Correct Taxation from the Tobacco Industry is mandatory

Over the last decade incorrect, inadequate and irrational taxation of tobacco has led to a loss of Rs 200 billion for the Sri Lankan government. (ADIC Press release 2021) If the government was able to collect this money as tax revenue, these funds could have been utilized for development projects – hospitals, schools, irrigation projects and highways, for the health, education and the economic well-being of its citizens.  It is therefore imperative that treasury officials work independently and tax the tobacco industry correctly and rationally to prevent the country losing billions of tax money in the next budget.

I will conclude with the time-honored saying of David Byrne “The true face of tobacco is disease, death and horror “



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Opinion

Child food poverty: A prowling menace

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by Dr B.J.C.Perera 
MBBS(Cey), DCH(Cey), DCH(Eng), MD(Paed), MRCP(UK), FRCP(Edin),
FRCP(Lon), FRCPCH(UK), FSLCPaed, FCCP, Hony FRCPCH(UK), Hony. FCGP(SL) 
Specialist Consultant Paediatrician and Honorary Senior Fellow,
Postgraduate Institute of Medicine, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Joint Editor, Sri Lanka Journal of Child Health

In an age of unprecedented global development, technological advancements, universal connectivity, and improvements in living standards in many areas of the world, it is a very dark irony that child food poverty remains a pressing issue. UNICEF defines child food poverty as children’s inability to access and consume a nutritious and diverse diet in early childhood. Despite the planet Earth’s undisputed capacity to produce enough food to nourish everyone, millions of children still go hungry each day. We desperately need to explore the multifaceted deleterious effects of child food poverty, on physical health, cognitive development, emotional well-being, and societal impacts and then try to formulate a road map to alleviate its deleterious effects.

Every day, right across the world, millions of parents and families are struggling to provide nutritious and diverse foods that young children desperately need to reach their full potential. Growing inequities, conflict, and climate crises, combined with rising food prices, the overabundance of unhealthy foods, harmful food marketing strategies and poor child-feeding practices, are condemning millions of children to child food poverty.

In a communique dated 06th June 2024, UNICEF reports that globally, 1 in 4 children; approximately 181 million under the age of five, live in severe child food poverty, defined as consuming at most, two of eight food groups in early childhood. These children are up to 50 per cent more likely to suffer from life-threatening malnutrition. Child Food Poverty: Nutrition Deprivation in Early Childhood – the third issue of UNICEF’s flagship Child Nutrition Report – highlights that millions of young children are unable to access and consume the nutritious and diverse diets that are essential for their growth and development in early childhood and beyond.

It is highlighted in the report that four out of five children experiencing severe child food poverty are fed only breastmilk or just some other milk and/or a starchy staple, such as maize, rice or wheat. Less than 10 per cent of these children are fed fruits and vegetables and less than 5 per cent are fed nutrient-dense foods such as eggs, fish, poultry, or meat. These are horrendous statistics that should pull at the heartstrings of the discerning populace of this world.

The report also identifies the drivers of child food poverty. Strikingly, though 46 per cent of all cases of severe child food poverty are among poor households where income poverty is likely to be a major driver, 54 per cent live in relatively wealthier households, among whom poor food environments and feeding practices are the main drivers of food poverty in early childhood.

One of the most immediate and visible effects of child food poverty is its detrimental impact on physical health. Malnutrition, which can result from both insufficient calorie intake and lack of essential nutrients, is a prevalent consequence. Chronic undernourishment during formative years leads to stunted growth, weakened immune systems, and increased susceptibility to infections and diseases. Children who do not receive adequate nutrition are more likely to suffer from conditions such as anaemia, rickets, and developmental delays.

Moreover, the lack of proper nutrition can have long-term health consequences. Malnourished children are at a higher risk of developing chronic illnesses such as heart disease, diabetes, and obesity later in life. The paradox of child food poverty is that it can lead to both undernutrition and overnutrition, with children in food-insecure households often consuming calorie-dense but nutrient-poor foods due to economic constraints. This dietary pattern increases the risk of obesity, creating a vicious cycle of poor health outcomes.

The impacts of child food poverty extend beyond physical health, severely affecting cognitive development and educational attainment. Adequate nutrition is crucial for brain development, particularly in the early years of life. Malnutrition can impair cognitive functions such as attention, memory, and problem-solving skills. Studies have consistently shown that malnourished children perform worse academically compared to their well-nourished peers. Inadequate nutrition during early childhood can lead to reduced school readiness and lower IQ scores. These children often struggle to concentrate in school, miss more days due to illness, and have lower overall academic performance. This educational disadvantage perpetuates the cycle of poverty, as lower educational attainment reduces future employment opportunities and earning potential.

The emotional and psychological effects of child food poverty are profound and are often overlooked. Food insecurity creates a constant state of stress and anxiety for both children and their families. The uncertainty of not knowing when or where the next meal will come from can lead to feelings of helplessness and despair. Children in food-insecure households are more likely to experience behavioural problems, including hyperactivity, aggression, and withdrawal. The stigma associated with poverty and hunger can further exacerbate these emotional challenges. Children who experience food poverty may feel shame and embarrassment, leading to social isolation and reduced self-esteem. This psychological toll can have lasting effects, contributing to mental health issues such as depression and anxiety in adolescence and adulthood.

Child food poverty also perpetuates cycles of poverty and inequality. Children who grow up in food-insecure households are more likely to remain in poverty as adults, continuing the intergenerational transmission of disadvantage. This cycle of poverty exacerbates social disparities, contributing to increased crime rates, reduced social cohesion, and greater reliance on social welfare programmes. The repercussions of child food poverty ripple through society, creating economic and social challenges that affect everyone. The healthcare costs associated with treating malnutrition-related illnesses and chronic diseases are substantial. Additionally, the educational deficits linked to child food poverty result in a less skilled workforce, which hampers economic growth and productivity.

Addressing child food poverty requires a multi-faceted approach that tackles both immediate needs and underlying causes. Policy interventions are crucial in ensuring that all children have access to adequate nutrition. This can include expanding social safety nets, such as food assistance programmes and school meal initiatives, as well as targeted manoeuvres to reach more vulnerable families. Ensuring that these programmes are adequately funded and effectively implemented is essential for their success.

In addition to direct food assistance, broader economic and social policies are needed to address the root causes of poverty. This includes efforts to increase household incomes through living wage policies, job training programs, and economic development initiatives. Supporting families with affordable childcare, healthcare, and housing can also alleviate some of the financial pressures that contribute to food insecurity.

Community-based initiatives play a vital role in combating child food poverty. Local food banks, community gardens, and nutrition education programmes can help provide immediate relief and promote long-term food security. Collaborative efforts between government, non-profits, and the private sector are necessary to create sustainable solutions.

Child food poverty is a profound and inescapable issue with far-reaching consequences. Its deleterious effects on physical health, cognitive development, emotional well-being, and societal stability underscore the urgent need for comprehensive action. As we strive for a more equitable and just world, addressing child food poverty must be a priority. By ensuring that all children have access to adequate nutrition, we can lay the foundation for a healthier, more prosperous future for individuals and society as a whole. The fight against child food poverty is not just a moral imperative but an investment in our collective future. Healthy, well-nourished children are more likely to grow into productive, contributing members of society. The benefits of addressing this issue extend beyond individual well-being, enhancing economic stability and social harmony. It is incumbent upon us all to recognize and act upon the understanding that every child deserves the right to adequate nutrition and the opportunity to thrive.

Despite all of these existent challenges, it is very definitely possible to end child food poverty. The world needs targeted interventions to transform food, health, and social protection systems, and also take steps to strengthen data systems to track progress in reducing child food poverty. All these manoeuvres must comprise a concerted effort towards making nutritious and diverse diets accessible and affordable to all. We need to call for child food poverty reduction to be recognized as a metric of success towards achieving global and national nutrition and development goals.

Material from UNICEF reports and AI assistance are acknowledged.

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Opinion

Do opinion polls matter?

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By Dr Upul Wijayawardhana

The colossal failure of not a single opinion poll predicting accurately the result of the Indian parliamentary election, the greatest exercise in democracy in the world, raises the question whether the importance of opinion polls is vastly exaggerated. During elections two types of opinion polls are conducted; one based on intentions to vote, published during or before the campaign, often being not very accurate as these are subject to many variables but exit polls, done after the voting where a sample tally of how the voters actually voted, are mostly accurate. However, of the 15 exit polls published soon after all the votes were cast in the massive Indian election, 13 vastly overpredicted the number of seats Modi’s BJP led coalition NDA would obtain, some giving a figure as high as 400, the number Modi claimed he is aiming for. The other two polls grossly underestimated predicting a hung parliament. The actual result is that NDA passed the threshold of 272 comfortably, there being no landslide. BJP by itself was not able to cross the threshold, a significant setback for an overconfident Mody! Whether this would result in less excesses on the part of Modi, like Muslim-bashing, remains to be seen. Anyway, the statement issued by BJP that they would be investigating the reasons for failure rather than blaming the process speaks very highly of the maturity of the democratic process in India.

I was intrigued by this failure of opinion polls as this differs dramatically from opinion polls in the UK. I never failed to watch ‘Election night specials’ on BBC; as the Big Ben strikes ‘ten’ (In the UK polls close at 10pm} the anchor comes out with “Exit polls predict that …” and the actual outcome is often almost as predicted. However, many a time opinion polls conducted during the campaign have got the predictions wrong. There are many explanations for this.

An opinion poll is defined as a research survey of public opinion from a particular sample, the origin of which can be traced back to the 1824 US presidential election, when two local newspapers in North Carolina and Delaware predicted the victory of Andrew Jackson but the sample was local. First national survey was done in 1916 by the magazine, Literary Digest, partly for circulation-raising, by mailing millions of postcards and counting the returns. Of course, this was not very scientific though it accurately predicted the election of Woodrow Wilson.

Since then, opinion polls have grown in extent and complexity with scientific methodology improving the outcome of predictions not only in elections but also in market research. As a result, some of these organisations have become big businesses. For instance, YouGov, an internet-based organisation co-founded by the Iraqi-born British politician Nadim Zahawi, based in London had a revenue of 258 million GBP in 2023.

In Sri Lanka, opinion polls seem to be conducted by only one organisation which, by itself, is a disadvantage, as pooled data from surveys conducted by many are more likely to reflect the true situation. Irrespective of the degree of accuracy, politicians seem to be dependent on the available data which lend explanations to the behaviour of some.

The Institute for Health Policy’s (IHP) Sri Lanka Opinion Tracker Survey has been tracking the voting intentions for the likely candidates for the Presidential election. At one stage the NPP/JVP leader AKD was getting a figure over 50%. This together with some degree of international acceptance made the JVP behave as if they are already in power, leading to some incidents where their true colour was showing.

The comments made by a prominent member of the JVP who claimed that the JVP killed only the riff-raff, raised many questions, in addition to being a total insult to many innocents killed by them including my uncle. Do they have the authority to do so? Do extra-judicial killings continue to be JVP policy? Do they consider anyone who disagrees with them riff-raff? Will they kill them simply because they do not comply like one of my admired teachers, Dr Gladys Jayawardena who was considered riff-raff because she, as the Chairman of the State Pharmaceutical Corporation, arranged to buy drugs cheaper from India? Is it not the height of hypocrisy that AKD is now boasting of his ties to India?

Another big-wig comes with the grand idea of devolving law and order to village level. As stated very strongly, in the editorial “Pledges and reality” (The Island, 20 May) is this what they intend to do: Have JVP kangaroo-courts!

Perhaps, as a result of these incidents AKD’s ratings has dropped to 39%, according to the IHP survey done in April, and Sajith Premadasa’s ratings have increased gradually to match that. Whilst they are level pegging Ranil is far behind at 13%. Is this the reason why Ranil is getting his acolytes to propagate the idea that the best for the country is to extend his tenure by a referendum? He forced the postponement of Local Governments elections by refusing to release funds but he cannot do so for the presidential election for constitutional reasons. He is now looking for loopholes. Has he considered the distinct possibility that the referendum to extend the life of the presidency and the parliament if lost, would double the expenditure?

Unfortunately, this has been an exercise in futility and it would not be surprising if the next survey shows Ranil’s chances dropping even further! Perhaps, the best option available to Ranil is to retire gracefully, taking credit for steadying the economy and saving the country from an anarchic invasion of the parliament, rather than to leave politics in disgrace by coming third in the presidential election. Unless, of course, he is convinced that opinion polls do not matter and what matters is the ballots in the box!

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Opinion

Thoughtfulness or mindfulness?

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By Prof. Kirthi Tennakone
ktenna@yahoo.co.uk

Thoughtfulness is the quality of being conscious of issues that arise and considering action while seeking explanations. It facilitates finding solutions to problems and judging experiences.

Almost all human accomplishments are consequences of thoughtfulness.

Can you perform day-to-day work efficiently and effectively without being thoughtful? Obviously, no. Are there any major advancements attained without thought and contemplation? Not a single example!

Science and technology, art, music and literary compositions and religion stand conspicuously as products of thought.

Thought could have sinister motives and the only way to eliminate them is through thought itself. Thought could distinguish right from wrong.

Empathy, love, amusement, and expression of sorrow are reflections of thought.

Thought relieves worries by understanding or taking decisive action.

Despite the universal virtue of thoughtfulness, some advocate an idea termed mindfulness, claiming the benefits of nurturing this quality to shape mental wellbeing. The concept is defined as focusing attention to the present moment without judgment. A way of forgetting the worries and calming the mind – a form of meditation. A definition coined in the West to decouple the concept from religion. The attitude could have a temporary advantage as a method of softening negative feelings such as sorrow and anger. However, no man or woman can afford to be non-judgmental all the time. It is incompatible with indispensable thoughtfulness! What is the advantage of diverting attention to one thing without discernment during a few tens of minute’s meditation? The instructors of mindfulness meditation tell you to focus attention on trivial things. Whereas in thoughtfulness, you concentrate the mind on challenging issues. Sometimes arriving at groundbreaking scientific discoveries, solution of mathematical problems or the creation of masterpieces in engineering, art, or literature.

The concept of meditation and mindfulness originated in ancient India around 1000 BCE. Vedic ascetics believed the practice would lead to supernatural powers enabling disclosure of the truth. Failing to meet the said aspiration, notwithstanding so many stories in scripture, is discernable. Otherwise, the world would have been awakened to advancement by ancient Indians before the Greeks. The latter culture emphasized thoughtfulness!

In India, Buddha was the first to deviate from the Vedic philosophy. His teachers, Alara Kalama and Uddaka Ramaputra, were adherents of meditation. Unconvinced of their approach, Buddha concluded a thoughtful analysis of the actualities of life should be the path to realisation. However, in an environment dominated by Vedic tradition, meditation residually persisted when Buddha’s teachings transformed into a religion.

In the early 1970s, a few in the West picked up meditation and mindfulness. We Easterners, who criticize Western ideas all the time, got exalted after seeing something Eastern accepted in the Western circles. Thereafter, Easterners took up the subject more seriously, in the spirit of its definition in the West.

Today, mindfulness has become a marketable commodity – a thriving business spreading worldwide, fueled largely by advertising. There are practice centres, lessons onsite and online, and apps for purchase. Articles written by gurus of the field appear on the web.

What attracts people to mindfulness programmes? Many assume them being stressed and depressed needs to improve their mental capacity. In most instances, these are minor complaints and for understandable reasons, they do not seek mainstream medical interventions but go for exaggeratedly advertised alternatives. Mainstream medical treatments are based on rigorous science and spell out both the pros and cons of the procedure, avoiding overstatement. Whereas the alternative sector makes unsubstantiated claims about the efficacy and effectiveness of the treatment.

Advocates of mindfulness claim the benefits of their prescriptions have been proven scientifically. There are reports (mostly in open-access journals which charge a fee for publication) indicating that authors have found positive aspects of mindfulness or identified reasons correlating the efficacy of such activities. However, they rarely meet standards normally required for unequivocal acceptance. The gold standard of scientific scrutiny is the statistically significant reproducibility of claims.

If a mindfulness guru claims his prescription of meditation cures hypertension, he must record the blood pressure of participants before and after completion of the activity and show the blood pressure of a large percentage has stably dropped and repeat the experiment with different clients. He must also conduct sessions where he adopts another prescription (a placebo) under the same conditions and compares the results. This is not enough, he must request someone else to conduct sessions following his prescription, to rule out the influence of the personality of the instructor.

The laity unaware of the above rigid requirements, accede to purported claims of mindfulness proponents.

A few years ago, an article published and widely cited stated that the practice of mindfulness increases the gray matter density of the brain. A more recent study found there is no such correlation. Popular expositions on the subject do not refer to the latter report. Most mindfulness research published seems to have been conducted intending to prove the benefits of the practice. The hard science demands doing the opposite as well-experiments carried out intending to disprove the claims. You need to be skeptical until things are firmly established.

Despite many efforts diverted to disprove Einstein’s General Theory of Relativity, no contradictions have been found in vain to date, strengthening the validity of the theory. Regarding mindfulness, as it stands, benefits can neither be proved nor disproved, to the gold standard of scientific scrutiny.

Some schools in foreign lands have accommodated mindfulness training programs hoping to develop the mental facility of students and Sri Lanka plans to follow. However, studies also reveal these exercises are ineffective or do more harm than good. Have we investigated this issue before imitation?

Should we force our children to focus attention on one single goal without judgment, even for a moment?

Why not allow young minds to roam wild in their deepest imagination and build castles in the air and encourage them to turn these fantasies into realities by nurturing their thoughtfulness?

Be more thoughtful than mindful?

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