Browsing by Author "Wijesuriya, H."

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Advocating university undergraduate students on implementing FCTC Article 5.3
(EUEP European Publishing, 2021) Kandeepan, S.; Perera, K.M.N.; Wijesuriya, H.; Perera, C.S.; Rajasuriya, M.
INTRODUCTION: Tobacco industry uses aggressive strategies to use to make people want to buy their products, especially youths. Therefore It is needed to enhance the knowledge about industry tactics among the youngsters. OBJECTIVES: Establishment of network with university undergraduates to combat tobacco industry interferences in public health in Sri Lanka. METHODS: Centre for Combating Tobacco (CCT) organized a series of advocacy sessions on Tobacco Industry Impact on Public Health and Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) Article 5.3 targeting the university undergraduates in Sri Lanka. The first session was held on June 23rd, 2019. It was organized by a group of undergraduates currently working as volunteers with CCT to empower their peers in state university science stream faculties of the Western Province. In this session Industry’s impact on substance use and public health and direct and indirect promotion strategies, Tobacco industry interference in Sri Lanka, FCTC Article 5.3 and current activities by CCT to monitor tobacco industry interference on public health and implementation of FCTC Article 5.3 in Sri Lanka were discussed. Networking and establishment of action committees to support CCT activities with university undergraduate students were discussed. Results Opportunities for best practice strategies for tobacco interference control were identified. Policy adherence and enforcement was improved to raising the awareness with students. CONCLUSION(S): A majority of students supported the advocacy programme. A Network with university students was formed to combat the tobacco industry interference.
Community driven tobacco surveillance system: Engaging communities to monitor tobacco industry using a mobile app
(EUEP European Publishing, 2021) Perera, C.N.S; Perera, K.M.N.; Wijesuriya, H.; Kandeepan, S.; Periyannan, D.; Lakmal, P.A.C.S.; Fernando, A.B.I.; Rajasuriya, M.
INTRODUCTION: Centre for Combating Tobacco (CCT) is the tobacco observatory in Sri Lanka established under the FCTC Article 5.3. CCT has experimented several resource-efficient methods in low-resource settings. Sri Lanka, a developing lower-middle income country, reports user rates closer to 100% for smart mobile device and social media. OBJECTIVES: To effectively engage the public in monitoring tobacco industry interference and activities (TIIA) METHODS: “Tobacco Unmasked HotSpots” (TU-HotSpots) mobile app, was developed and launched in two stages. The preliminary launch (May 2018) was to pilot the app for feasibility and acceptability. A community network to monitor TIIA, Community-Driven Tobacco Surveillance System (CDTSS) using an upgraded app (based on the pilot project findings) was launched in March 2019. Freely downloadable from any mobile app store, TU-HotSpots enables registered users to report TIIA under three categories: “Report a HotSpot” (geographical location of TIIA (Articles 5.3, 6, 12, 13, 15, 16), “Interference through Media” (Article 13) and “Tobacco Industry contacted me” (Article 5.3). Data is fed to the TU-HotSpots Map, a website with an interactive map and a dashboard of interactive graphs and charts after reviewing and approval by the CCT team. RESULTS: Two evaluations done to explore the feasibility and acceptability revealed that 91.4% (n=54) agreed this app would be useful in tobacco control and 82.8% (n=48) stated that it would be accepted by the public. Inadequate technological knowledge and interrupted online connection were the perceived challenges for implementation. Active promotion using organized trainings among youth and field officers were the main suggestions for improvement. As at October 2019, 289 registrants reported 786 incidents; with 315 approved “Report a HotSpot” and 383 approved “Interference through Media” reports. “Tobacco Industry contacted me” category only had a one reporting. CONCLUSION(S):A mobile app coupled with an actively established community network is an effective tool to engage the public in monitoring TIIA.
Implementation of pictorial health warnings on cigarette packs in Sri Lanka and the tobacco industry interferences
(Sri Lanka Medical Association, 2019) Wijesuriya, H.; Perera, K.M.N.; Perera, C.S.; Dineshkumar, P.; Lakmal, S.C.; Fenando, A.I.B.; Kandeepan, S.; Rajasuriya, M.
INTRODUCTION & OBJECTIVES: Ceylon Tobacco Company (CTC), legally challenged the government's initiative on 80% of the pictorial health warnings (PHW) on cigarette packs. After several rounds of Appeal and Supreme Court hearings, the judgement was given to implement PHWs, but reducing its size to 60%. However, as the then Minister of Health was later elected the President the 80% PHWs got implemented through a parliamentary decision. Our study aims to describe the tobacco industry interference during this process. METHODS: Investigative research techniques were used. Media reports, court reports, web content and research articles collected through snow-ball sampling were reviewed using content analysis. RESULTS: Strategies recognised were: alleged bribery by CTC; alleged interference in the legal and policy process through high-ranking politicians including the Head of State; influencing stakeholders and public via industry favourable academic publications and media reports; and influencing business community via industry favourable discussion forums. Main arguments used were: Minister of Health not possessing the legal power to enforce such a law; PHWs violating the company's intellectual property rights related to trade names and branding; unproven effectiveness of PHWs; and inadequate time availability for implementation. The only front group visible was the media, which repeatedly published arguments against PHWs favouring tobacco industry. The industry ultimately managed to delay the PHW implementation by 23 months and to reduce its extent to 60%. They managed to delay the original 80%-PHW implementation by 29 months. CONCLUSION: The tobacco industry interference misled the policy makers and the public, delaying implementation of PHWs for more than two years.
Tobacco industry interference against the single stick cigarette sales ban
(EUEP European Publishing, 2021) Kandeepan, S.; Perera, K.M.N.; Wijesuriya, H.; Perera, C.S.; Rajasuriya, M.
INTRODUCTION: Sri Lanka implemented 80% Pictorial Health Warnings and is planning to implement standardised packaging. However, a considerable proportion of smokers buy cigarettes in the loose form. Sale of cigarettes as single sticks promotes smoking among minors, beginners and poor due to high affordability and accessibility. In September 2018, Health Minister proposed to ban sale of single sticks as recommended by the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. The proposal failed to gain Cabinet approval preventing its implementation. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to explore the tobacco industry’s tactics in sabotaging the proposed ban on single stick sale of cigarettes in Sri Lanka. METHODS: Investigative research techniques were used. Content analysis was carried out on identified web posts and documents to determine the tobacco industry’s strategic involvement, their front groups and arguments used. RESULTS: First argument, the ban would reduce government tax revenue due to reduction of cigarette sales, was made by three parties: cigarette industry, media and Minister of Finance (MoF). The strongest advocate against the ban was the Tobacco Retailer’s Association (TRA), backed by the Ceylon Tobacco Company (CTC). TRA’s argued that retail business would be impacted, again because of reduced sales. TRA directly advocated MoF via a meeting. Third argument, used by the MoF was that the ban would increase beedi use. The cabinet rejected the ban as MoF and three other ministers opposed. CONCLUSION(S): CTC successfully interfered in the ban on single sticks cigarette sale through the TRA, media and the MoF, arguing that resulting reduced cigarette sales would generate a negative impact.
Tobacco industry promoting its image makes use of religious practices in Sri Lanka
(Sri Lanka Medical Association, 2019) Perera, N.C.S.; Lakmal, P.A.S.C.; Wijesuriya, H.; Fernando, A.I.B.; Dineshkumar, P.; Kandeepan, S.; Perera, K.M.N.; Rajasuriya, M.
INTRODUCTION & OBJECTIVES: Seventy percent of Sri Lankans follow Buddhism, a philosophy that dissuades its followers from the use of psychoactive substances. The national tobacco control laws prohibit sponsorships promoting products and direct and indirect image promotion of tobacco products and its manufacturers. Recently, media reported of Buddhist religious practices that were supported by Ceylon Tobacco Company (CTC), British American Tobacco subsidiary holding monopoly in manufacturing and selling cigarettes in Sri Lanka. We aimed to explore CTC's engagement in religious activities and their potential impact. METHODS: This study is based on Tobacco Unmasked posts developed using investigative research techniques (keys 4 informant interviews and content analysis of photographs, media reports, websites and industry reports). Thematic analysis was used to explore the type of activity, CTC investment, potential impact and intensity of media coverage. RESULTS: Gangarama Wesak celebration zone, the main Wesak festival zone in Colombo, was sponsored by CTC proxies for three years. CTC sponsored construction of two pilgrims-rests in two popular pilgrimage sites, each ceremoniously declared open by the President and the Secretary of Defence. The direct interference in policymaking was noticeable in the "Bodhi-Pooja" which is said to be organized to empower the tobacco-farmers against the government's plan to eliminate tobacco cultivation by 2020. All these activities received wide positive media coverage. At community level, CTC financially supported numerous religious activities and infrastructure development of temples and worship sites situated in tobacco cultivation areas. CONCLUSION: Tobacco industry successfully uses religious practices to promote its image among the public and the policy makers at national and grass-root levels.
Tobacco industry targeting political giants in Sri Lanka: Presidential candidates 2019
(EUEP European Publishing, 2021) Kandeepan, S.; Perera, C.; Wijesuriya, H.; Dias, I.S.; Periyannan, D.; Perera, K.M.N.; Rajasuriya, M.
INTRODUCTION: The presidential election to elect the 7th Executive President of Sri Lanka was held on November 2019. Ceylon Tobacco Company (CTC), a subsidiary of British American Tobacco (BAT), holds the monopoly of manufacturing and selling cigarettes in Sri Lanka, which has a comprehensive ban on tobacco advertisement, promotion and sponsorship under the National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol (NATA) Act. OBJECTIVES: To explore tobacco industry (TI) engagements of the 2019 presidential election candidates. METHODS: Investigative research techniques were used. Key informant interviews, news reports, online content, industry reports and community-level documentary evidence were used. A deductive data analysis approach was used based on the themes ‘type of engagement’, ‘TI investment’ and ‘potential impact’. RESULTS: All three top ranked candidates depicted a positive result. Two had a history of direct engagement with the CTC and the other declared support for beedi industry during the election campaign. The engagements of the candidate who was a former Defence Secretary included accepting sponsorships to construct police stations and Army welfare shops. Police are one of the authorized officers of the NATA Act and Sri Lanka Army distributed tax free cigarettes for its soldiers until recent past. The candidate who was a former Agriculture Minister accepted CTC sponsorships for renovation of water reservoirs. CTC cultivates almost all tobacco they need for manufacturing cigarettes and is accused of exploiting the Sri Lankan farmers during the process. One candidate was the guest of honour of the opening ceremony of a pilgrim’s rest in a Buddhist shrine constructed with CTC sponsorship (around 70% of Sri Lankans are Buddhists). All TI engagements of these leading politicians received positive media coverage. CONCLUSION(S): TI engaging main political figures in Sri Lanka has potential to cause serious policy implications, thus, highlights the need for a national policy for implementation of the FCTC Article 5.3.
Two-a-pack cigarette packet in Sri Lanka: an affordability experiment by the tobacco industry?
(BMJ, 2019) Wijesuriya, H.; Perera, M.N.; de Silva, G.; Vithanage, P.R.; Dineshkumar, P.; Lakmal, S.; Fernando, I. B.; Rajasuriya, M.; Alcohol and Drug Information Centre (ADIC) Sri Lanka
Abstract not available
Use of a mobile application to engage communities in monitoring tobacco industry interference: A case study of community driven tobacco surveillance system
(Sri Lanka Medical Association., 2019) Perera, N. C. S.; Lakrnal, P. A. S. C.; Wijesuriya, H.; Kandeepan, S.; Fernando, A. I. B.; Dineshkumar, P.; Perera, K. M. N.
INTRODUCTION & OBJECTIVES: Centre for Combating Tobacco (CCT) is the tobacco observatory in Sri Lanka established under the WHO FCTC article 5.3. Resource-efficient methods to engage public in monitoring tobacco industry interference and activities (TIIA) in low-resource settings are needed. METHODS: "TobaccoUnmasked HotSpots"(TU-HotSpots) mobile application was developed and launched in two stages. The preliminary launch, in May 2018, was to pilot the app for feasibility and acceptability. In March 2019, Community Driven Tobacco Surveillance System (CDTSS), a community network to monitor TIIA using the now-upgraded, app following the piloting, was launched. Freely downloadable from any mobile app store, TU-HotSpots enables registered users to report TIIA under three categories:"Report-a-HotSpot" (geographical location circa FCTC articles 5.3, 6, 12, 13, 15, 16), "Interference-through-Media" (Article 13) and "Tobacco-Industry-contacted-me" (Article 5.3). Data thus reported is approved following review by the CCT team, and published via the TU-HotSpots Map, a website with an interactive map and a dashboard. RESULTS: In the Post-launch evaluation, 91.4% (n=54) stated that TU-HotSpots would be useful in tobacco control, while 82.8% (n=48) stated the public would accept it. Inadequate technological knowledge and sub optimal on line connectivity were the perceived challenges for implementation. Active promotion via training sessions for youth and government field officers were the main suggestions for way forward. As at April 2019, 178 registrants reported 416 incidents; with 165 approved-Report-a-HotSpot and 92 approved-Interference-through-Media reports, and one approved-Tobacco-Industry-contacted-me report. CONCLUSION: A mobile application coupled with a community network constitutes an effective strategy to engage public in monitoring TIIA.
Using a MediaWiki platform to disseminate information on tobacco: TobaccoUnmasked.lk
(Sri Lanka Medical Association, 2018) Perera, C. S.; Perera, K. M. N.; Wijesuriya, H.; Lakmal, P. A. S. C.; Fernando, I. B.; Rajasuriya, M. C.
INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: The Centre for Combating Tobacco (CCT) Sri Lanka is the first, and currently tobacco observatory in the region. The main purpose of CCT is to monitor tobacco industry activities related to implementation of Article 5.3 of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC). This study aimed to explore the acceptability of a Media Wiki based information portal in disseminating information in Sri Lanka. METHODS: www.tobaccounmasked.lk is the information portal of CCT, containing evidence-based peer-reviewed information under the themes: background, Tobacco Industry (TI), individuals and institutions linked with TI, TI activities and TI arguments and responses. Launched in July 2017, 'TobaccoUnmasked' (TU) is based on Media Wiki, an open source software that serves as a database as well as an information dissemination platform. The reach of the website was monitored using the Google Analytics software. RESULTS: Easy navigation and search, ability to link to internal and external resources and generate categories were the positives identified in the tool during implementation. TobaccoUnmasked was used by 1101 users during the three months with 4799 page views in 1688 sessions. Even though TU reached 55 countries, majority (n=1273; 75.4%) of session views was from Sri Lanka. Apart from the Main page, most viewed page was “Movement to legalise marijuana and the tobacco industry'. Users were mostly referred via 'organic search' (n=676; 40.0%) while direct search referrals (n=406; 24.0%) and referrals via social media (n=306; 18.l %) were also common.CONCLUSION: MediaWiki platform can be effectively used to disseminate information related to tobacco in Sri Lanka.