Sri Lanka's per capita consumption of liquor has increased upto a staggering 95 percent, a report by the WHO has revealed.
According to the 2018 Global Status Report on Alcohol and Health by the WHO, the total number of new alcohol users in Sri Lanka had increased upto 10.4 percent by 2016.
According to the report a majority of new alcohol users have been termed as addicts, adding that every one in three alcohol users are heavy drinkers. The report also revealed that 40 percent have been consuming illicit liquor.
Accordingly, the global health body insisted that both health and financial policies must be collectively considered while preparing Excise laws in a bid to control liquor consumption in the country.
However, the WHO had appreciated the steps taken to introduce the National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol Act, No. 27 of 2006 in Sri Lanka.
(Excerpts : sundaytimes.lk)