Law to be strictly enforced against those selling betel quid with tobacco

The Sri Lanka Public Health Inspectors' Union states that steps will be taken in the future to strictly enforce the law against individuals who sell betel quid mixed with tobacco. Mr. Upul Rohana, the acting president of the union, making a special statement to the media, pointed out that in accordance with the Tobacco and Alcohol Authority Act No. 27 of 2006, as well as the special gazette notification issued in September 2016, the sale of smokeless tobacco products is completely prohibited in the country.

He emphasized that between 1750 and 1900 new oral cancer patients are identified in Sri Lanka annually, and these strict measures are being taken solely to protect the people of this country from that dreadful disease. He further stated that there is no intention whatsoever to inconvenience betel quid vendors.

The president recalled that, considering the local cultural context, these laws and regulations had not been directly enforced until now, and the health sector had only worked to raise public awareness. He also stated that since sufficient time has been given to both vendors and consumers to correct their mistakes and comply with the law, the law will be strictly enforced without any leniency from now on.

If a case is filed in a Magistrate's Court against those who sell tobacco with betel quid, there are provisions to impose a fine of Rs. 2000 or a six-month prison sentence on those found guilty. However, Mr. Upul Rohana further clarified that this legal prohibition applies only to smokeless tobacco products, and the sale of smoked tobacco products is currently permitted under existing law.