The National Tobacco and Alcohol Authority says it hopes to amend existing regulations on tobacco and alcohol in the near future.
Speaking at a media briefing today, Chairman of the Authority Dr. Samadhi Rajapaksa said a poll was conducted on the views of the people pertaining to tobacco and alcohol.
Dr. Rajapaksa said 95 percent were in favour of a ban on the use of tobacco and alcohol in public places.
He said 95 percent were also in favour of banning the sale of cigarettes and other narcotics within a 500m to schools while 65 percent were in favour of banning the sale of single stick cigarettes.
Dr. Rajapaksa said as the National Tobacco and Alcohol Act is due to be amended in the near future, the stats of such polls will be crucial for policymakers.
The Chairman of the Authority also claimed that 72.4 percent were in favour of the quarter bottles of arrack being banned while 66.5 percent were of the view that non-smokers fundamental rights were being violated owing to smoking.
Dr. Rajapaksa said passive smoking is as dangerous as smoking.
