Monday Jun 15, 2026
Monday Jun 15, 2026
Monday, 15 June 2026 06:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
The special national celebration event held in the country for ‘World No Tobacco Day,’ declared by the World Health Organisation (WHO) to educate global citizens about the health and economic damages caused by tobacco use and to minimise deaths resulting from it, is scheduled to take place today (15) at the Taj Samudra Hotel in Colombo.
Jointly organised in cooperation with the National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol, the Health and Mass Media Ministry, and the WHO, the event is scheduled to be held under the patronage of Health and Mass Media Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa.
‘Exposing the Tobacco Industry’s Deceitful Tactics – Opposing Tobacco and Nicotine Products’ is the theme for World No Tobacco Day this time.
The Health Ministry said the national program will focus special attention on protecting the Sri Lankan youth from addiction to tobacco and nicotine and promoting the vision of a tobacco-free generation.
Furthermore, an extensive discussion is scheduled to take place regarding the true situation of cigarette and tobacco-related product usage in the country, the importance of managing addictive behaviours, and the direct impact of these products on individual physical and mental well-being.
The Health Ministry also stated that since the tobacco and nicotine industry continuously updates its products and marketing approaches, protecting children and adolescents has turned into a critical priority in public health.
Health and Mass Media Ministry Secretary Specialist Dr. Anil Jasinghe, WHO Sri Lanka Resident Representative Dr. Rajesh Sambhajirao Pandav, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka Professors Prof. Duminda Guruge and Prof. Diyanath Samarasinghe, National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol Board Member Janaka Kollalpitiya, and University of Colombo’s Prof. Prathibha Mahanamahewa are scheduled to deliver special lectures at this celebration event.
