Women take to drinking, smoking, drugs in Sri Lanka: Minister

Sri Lankan Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena has revealed a dramatic increase in smoking among the country’s women.

Smoking kills around 21,000 people annually in Sri Lanka.

A study carried out by the Health Ministry on smoking has revealed that more women, especially those in the estate sector, have taken to smoking.

The study had also revealed that some women were addicted to narcotics, intoxicants such as babul and mild tranquilisers, the Health Minister said at a workshop on Mathin Thora Samaja held at Richmond College, Galle recently.

Minister Sirisena warned that if pregnant mothers smoked or consumed liquor or dangerous drugs, they would do so at the expense of their unborn babies’ health. Such habits caused deformities in children, he said, quoting medical experts.

Minister Sirisena urged women to abstain from smoking, drinking and abusing drugs for the sake of their children and social wellbeing.

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