Warning Pictures Even on Beedi & Cigar Packets

 VAT on tobacco products had been increased  to   90 %.  In the meantime the cabinet has decided  to increase  import  Tax on  beedi leaves  between Rs  2000 – Rs 3000 . In order to  eradicate smoking habit ,  on advised given by the World Health Organization (WHO) warning pictures were printed on cigarette packets. However, this was not done on  beedi and cigar packets  in Srilanka.

Health Ministry is now considering  making it compulsory to  print warning pictures  on beedi and cigar packets  similar to   what  is done on cigarette packets.