Leading universities, healthcare professionals, policymakers, and global health organizations recently held a special discussion focused on improving tobacco control and smoking cessation strategies in Sri Lanka.
The event was organized under the Respire Project, an international programme aimed at reducing respiratory diseases among at-risk populations across Asia.
Participating local institutions included:
- University of Sri Jayewardenepura
- University of Peradeniya
- Rajarata University of Sri Lanka
- Wayamba University of Sri Lanka
- General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University
The discussions focused on strengthening smoking prevention policies, tobacco cessation programmes, and collaborative strategies involving researchers, health professionals, policymakers, and civil society organizations.
Prasanna Herath, Senior Lecturer at Kotelawala Defence University, introduced an evidence-based scientific methodology aimed at individual smoking prevention and cessation.
The keynote address was delivered virtually by Chris Bullen, Professor of Public Health at the University of Auckland, who highlighted the need for a comprehensive national tobacco cessation programme in Sri Lanka.
Sessions also covered:
- Smoking cessation strategies
- The link between smoking and respiratory diseases
- Evidence-based approaches to tobacco reduction
- Action plans for future intervention programmes
Deputy Minister of Health Hansaka Wijeyumuni stated that tobacco use remains one of the leading causes of preventable deaths worldwide.
He warned that tobacco-related illnesses continue to place a major burden on Sri Lanka’s healthcare system, economy, and families.
The Deputy Minister further emphasized that the government’s broader objective is to maintain a healthier population by preventing disease rather than relying solely on treatment after illness occurs.
