(COLOMBO, LANKAPUVATH) –The Sri Lankan government, considering oral cancer risks associated with the betel chewing, has taken measures to ban the practice in in the premises of the Public Institutions.
Accordingly, considering the risk factors for oral cancers, due to the use of betel quid, tobacco and arecanut associated products, it has been proposed to prevent the staff of the Public Institutions and the people coming over to such institutions from using such products.
Although betel chewing is accepted as a social and a cultural habit, it is a major reason behind the massive number of oral cancer cases reported in the country, the Ministry of health says.
Therefore, Minister of Health, Nutrition & Indigenous Medicine Dr Rajitha Senaratne has proposed to issue a Public Administration Circular banning of using and selling betel quid, tobacco, arecanut associated products in the premises of the Public Institutions
Sri Lanka’s cabinet of ministers has approved the proposal made by Minister Senaratne to issue a public administration circular banning the chewing. The measure is expected to make it easier for heads of all state institutes to take necessary administrative procedures against the detrimental practice.
