| Summary: | Background and challenges to implementation
Sri
Lanka(SL) has signed and ratified FCTC treaty in 2003 and bounded to enforce
the pictorial health warnings on cigarette packets (PHW-CP). The Health Minister(HM) notified the enforcement of PHW-CP by a gazette
on 2012-Aug-08. But Ceylon Tobacco Company(CTC) instituted a legal action
challenging the gazette notification. ADIC started island wide campaigns empowering
citizens to support for the enforcement of PHW-CP. ´Sumathi
Tele Award Ceremony´ is an annual glamour event conduct by the Sumathi Group of
Companies to appreciate the talents of stars on television screen. Around 200
celebrities gather for this shining night.
Intervention or response
ADIC
reached this Ceremony officially from 2010-2015; conducting various campaigns on
alcohol and tobacco prevention(ATP) among celebrities. In 2012 and 2013;
campaigns theme was 'celebrities' support for the enforcement of PHW-CP'. Glamour
signature boards of a petition were displayed at the entrance; quick
discussions had with each celebrity. Video documentary of celebrities'
statements for supporting to enforce PHW-CP were disseminated among them; published
on social media. ATP messages, information on tobacco industry influences
included organizers/diaries were distributed.
Results and lessons learnt
Celebrities joined to work for ATP. In 2012 and 2013
respectively 180 and 141 celebrities including artists, political leaders,
journalists and mass media persons signed for the petition and approximately 50
leading celebrities gave supporting statements empowering the health minister. Signed
petition boards and video documentary on statements of celebrities were handed over
to HM. Finally Court of Appeal refused the appeal made by CTC to quash the gazette
issued by HM and implemented PHW covered 80% of the surface of cigarette packaging.
Conclusions and key recommendations
Television Award Ceremony is a stage to make ATP in glamour,
effective on aware and get support of celebrities at once. Their voices and
signatures are powerful and can be enforced on tobacco control policies.
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