The Alcohol and Drugs Information Centre (ADIC) says per a survey conducted in 2022, Sri Lankans spent Rs. 1,210 million per day for the use of alcohol and cigarettes.
Issuing a statement, ADIC said Rs. 510 million was spent on the consumption of arrack, Rs. 180 million for beer, and Rs. 520 million for cigarettes.
The ADIC further said that an expense of Rs. 237 billion was reported in the Health and Economic sectors due to the use of alcohol and drugs, while a tax revenue of Rs. 165.2 billion was reported in 2022.
A total of 15,000 deaths are reported annually due to the consumption of alcohol, while 20,000 deaths annually are reported due to the use of cigarettes.
The ADIC pointed out that there was an increase of 80% in the spread of non-communicable diseases in Sri Lanka, of which consumption of alcohol and cigarettes were key causes.
Following the 20% increase in taxes in 2023, the consumption of alcohol dropped by 8.3 million litres of alcohol, while tax revenue increased by Rs.11.6 billion.
Tax revenue from the sale of cigarettes increased by Rs. 7.7 billion, while cigarette sales dropped by 521.5 million units, ADIC added. (Newswire)
