Towards A Tobacco-Free Sri Lanka PHI facilitation Programme held on 4th December 2019 at Galadari Grand Ballroom. The event was initiated with the welcome speech of Dr.Palitha Abeykoon -Chairman NATA. Key people in the event were Dr.Champika Wickramasinghe (DDG/ NCD) - Ministry of Health Nutrition and Indigenous Medicine, Dr.Razia Pendse -World Health Organization Representative-Sri Lanka, various individuals representing their organizations related to tobacco control with around 250 participants.
As a step of giving recognition for the Public health officers in Sri Lanka for whom has worked towards making Tobacco-Free zones in their respective MOH areas. NATA organized an awarding ceremony to give certificates and awards for them to encourage and give recognition to their work. The nominees for the awards were sent to NATA by the Respective Medical Officer of Health. So the responsibility of observing and evaluation of the work done by Public health inspectors are done by the respective Medical Officer. Altogether there was 150 approved list of public health inspectors from all around Sri Lanka. It is observed that some Public health officers have worked towards making more than one tobacco-free zones to get enable for the award ceremony. Public health felicitation Program was consist of award-giving a session and the technical session which included the surveys already conducted and projects about to initiate.
• The National Tobacco Control Strategy 2020-2025 – conducted by Dr Sajeewa Ranaweera
• National Tobacco Cessation Strategy – conducted by Dr Jayamal De Silva
• Tobacco Retail Market Survey – conducted by Mr Pubudu Sumanasekera
• National Guideline on Preventing Tobacco Industry Interference– conducted by Dr Sajeewa Ranaweera
• Study on determinants of smokeless tobacco use – conducted by Dr Hemantha Amarasinghe
• App for surveillance of Violation of NATA Act – conducted by Dr Mahesh Rajasuriya
Some of the discussed projects were given as in booklets for the participants for further references. The objectives of the programmes are mentioned below.
• Motivate & encourage Public health officers who work on making the tobacco-free zones.
• Give publicity to the project among various Ministries and cooperate sector to draw attention.
• Make awareness about the ongoing researches related to Tobacco and Alcohol.
