[Intl-tobacco] Sri Lanka: Industry asks for delay on ad ban, smokefree areas

[robert weissman]

Tobacco industry asks for 6 months to enforce public smoking, advertising ban - LBO

July 18, 2006

(LBO) - Sri Lanka's monopoly cigarette maker has asked for six months to enforce a
public smoking and advertising ban, following legal amendments to anti-smoking laws
that were passed in July.

The amendments to the National Tobacco and Alcohol Authority Act softens some of the
rules on public smoking in hotels, restaurants and other places, pegged to
conditions.

While smokers are banned from lighting up in enclosed public spaces, the airport,
hotels or guest house with over 30 rooms have to set aside an exclusive area for
smoking.

The same applies to a restaurant that can house 30 or more people, as long as all
provide adequate ventilation and conform to prescribed air quality standards, the
amendments say.

Enclosed public places include government departments, offices, banks, universities,
places of worship, clubs, internet cafes, supermarkets and bus terminals, among
others.

All outdoor advertising of cigarettes is also banned. "We can only display products
inside a shop and have notices at the point of sale, though the health minister will
have to provide the size of the notices," one official with the Ceylon Tobacco
Company, said.

"Hotels have asked for time for the public smoking regulations and we have also
asked for six months to comply with the new rules like removing advertising and so
on."

Ceylon Tobacco Company (CTC) is the local arm of British American Tobacco and has a
monopoly on manufacture of cigarettes locally.

The amendments follow a Supreme Court ruling and the changes will now have to be
incorporated into the law, through a gazette notice.

The regulations are expected to affect large hotels and about 40,000 small and
medium hotels and restaurants around the island.

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