(UDHAYAM, COLOMBO) – Minister of Health Rajitha Senaratne is due to sign the cabinet paper which includes the rules and regulations that prevent the sale of individual cigarettes.
The Health Minister said the measure was taken to reduce smoking in the island.
Minister Senaratne also said a 47 per cent decline in smoking has been recorded due to the measures taken by the present government to discourage smoking.
He said the government has to incur an expense of 72 billion rupees annually to treat those who fall ill due to smoking.