Sri Lanka debut for cigarette graphic health warnings

Sri Lanka started yesterday on the last phase of its imposition of graphic health warnings on cigarette packs, according to a story in The Island, Colombo.

Manufacturers were prohibited from producing after December 31 packs without the warning while traders and distributors have to clear their stocks of non-compliant products by the end of this month. From February 1, action can be taken against those who sell cigarettes without the proper warning.

The first in a series of seven graphic warnings, which have to cover 60 percent of the front and back pack surfaces, depicts a patient with heart disease lying on a bed in the Intensive Care Unit of a hospital. The caption says, in three languages: ‘Smoking Causes Heart Disease’.

This warning will be used for six months, after which it will be replaced.

Meanwhile, anti-tobacco lobbyists have expressed concern that the graphic messages will not be seen by the average smoker, who buys loose sticks rather packs.