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Smoking and taking alcohol:
Children lured through cartoons
Christie Fernando Chilaw special corr
“Schoolchildren are insidiously seduced through cartoons and movie
clips to become tobacco addicts.
“They also fall prey to indulge in alcohol when they emulate
drunkards and drug addicts, and are often misled by their fathers who
habitually drink and smoke,” said National Authority on Tobacco and
Alcohol Consultant Dr Sajeewa Ranaweera.
He was speaking at a workshop held at the Sudasuna hall, Chilaw on
June 25. It was conducted for schoolchildren in the Puttalam district
under the aegis of the National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol.
Dr Ranaweera said that the society at large should be motivated to
prevent the young from being misled.
Those who indulge in smoking and taking alcohol are unaware of the
detrimental effects on their bodies.
Once they became addicted it will be too late and doctors will not be
able to cure their illnesses, he added.
Alcohol and tobacco brands are shown to the young through attractive
advertisements and movies, he pointed out.
An anusasana was delivered by Ven Adaulpatha Seelawansa thera at this
workshop. Madampe District Health Services Office Dr H P Herath,
National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol Project Manager Dr Prasanna
Cooray and several others also spoke.
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