“We see increased interventions from the tobacco industry because Sri Lanka’s tobacco control efforts have resulted in tobacco use declining by 50% over the last ten years. The Tobacco Industry Interference Index has been an important tool in showing the level of interference, comparing Sri Lanka with other countries. Also, it was effectively used to create awareness among policy makers and media on the need for effective implementation of tobacco control in Sri Lanka.”

Pubudu Sumanasekara
Executive Director, Alcohol and Drug Information Centre (ADIC)

Background

It is estimated that around one-fourth of the adults (25.8%) use some form of tobacco in Sri Lanka and nearly 20,000 Sri Lankan citizens die every year due to tobacco-related diseases. Sri Lanka ratified the WHO Framework Convention for Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) in year 2003 as the first country in the Asia and the fourth country in the world. As a result, displaying pictorial health warnings on the product was successfully implemented in the country.

British American Tobacco (BAT) has controlling share of 84% in Ceylon Tobacco Company (CTC) in Sri Lanka. Through various interventions and incentives to shop owners the company has established a loyal customer chain and has been conducting promotions even during the COVID-19 pandemic, to maintain its sales level. Therefore, a large sum of money earned from poor smokers in the country goes out as profits to a foreign company. In 2020, CTC made Rs 25.4 billion (USD 71.5 million) pre-tax profits and Rs 15.5 billion (USD 43.6 million) profits after tax.[i] At a time where the country is facing an economic crisis, this is a major disadvantage for the country. Therefore, as a middle-income country, the best strategy to be implemented at this moment is increasing the tax for cigarettes and obtaining the maximum income to the government.

But tax cannot be increased to the optimum level as there is a direct influence from the industry on the Finance Ministry. Therefore, creating awareness among the responsible parties about tobacco industry interference has become an important to implement appropriate tobacco control strategies in the country.

Sri Lanka, which was ranked 12^th in year 2020, in the Global Tobacco Industry Interference Index (GTI), has declined to rank 15 in 2021 showing continued presence of industry interference in the country.[ii]

Advocacy with the Index

Through a media briefing, ADIC launched Sri Lanka’s Tobacco Industry Interference Index (Index)[iii] on 15^th December 2021. Mary Assunta from Global Centre for Good Governance in Tobacco Control participated to the media briefing online and spoke on the global situation of the GTI to Sri Lankan media. Dr. Sajeewa Ranaweera from Sri Lanka Medical Association explained the impact of tobacco industry interference and the potential future tactics of tobacco industry. Participation of journalists representing main electronic and print media in Sri Lanka largely contributed to the success of the event. ADIC also appeared on live television program to present details about the tobacco company interference in the country.

Printed copies of the Index were sent to all 225 Members of Parliament to make them aware of the company interferences, thereby focusing their attention on the importance of implementing tobacco control policies. The Index was also sent to relevant government departments and ministries.

Outcome of Advocacy with the Index

We were informed through letters that the Index was received by Members of Parliament and that they found the information useful in having a better understanding about company interferences. This is a good first step towards tax increase on tobacco.

Obtaining an opportunity to present details of the index and its wide coverage in media was an added advantage in disseminating the findings of the index. As an outcome of the media briefing, articles were published in 4 Sinhala newspapers, 3 Tamil newspapers and 3 electronic media.

About ADIC: ADIC is an organization which gives priority to advocacy in our work. Therefore, we use the Index as an important tool in programs creating awareness, workshops and trainings conducted specifically targeting government ministries, advocates, and public health organizations, as it gives a better picture to understand how tobacco company interference undermines health policies in the country. This aids in providing a good understanding to important policy makers to develop and implement appropriate measures for tobacco control in the country.

[i] STOP. Indicators of influence: Sri Lanka. Available from: https://bit.ly/3xy82Ge
[ii] CTC 2020 Annual Report. Available from: https://bit.ly/3O2fEI4
[iii] GGTC. Customized Fact Sheets. Available from: https://bit.ly/3QlKmNX