Graphic warning on cigarette packets delayed further in Sri Lanka

The graphic warnings on cigarette packets sold in Sri Lanka further delayed as the Ceylon Tobacco Company (CTC) announced that the old cartons would be further used until the Supreme Court verdict on the appeal of graphic warning case is delivered.

The Ministry of Health has also informed the Supreme Court the graphic warning law would be imposed after the verdict on the CTC appeal on graphic warning is delivered.

The Court of Appeal ordered to cover 60% of the surface of cigarette packets with graphic warnings.

The law was to be implemented since today, July 01, but the CTC appealed in the Supreme Court against the appellate court verdict.

The petition of the CTC is to be heard on July 11 and the verdict is also expected on that day.

Alcohol and Drug Information Center (ADIC) of Sri Lanka pointed out that the cigarette sales in the island had dropped to 4200 million units in 2012 to 4800 million in 1994.

The center further said that the sale of cigarette had dropped by 14% in the first quarter of 2013 compared to the first quarter of 2014.