COLOMBO (News 1st); An average of six people get addicted to heroin daily in Sri Lanka, says the Chairman of the National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol, Dr. Samadhi Rajapksa.

Speaking to News 1st, he said that based on a survey conducted recently, it was discovered that close to 120,000 people are addicted to heroin in Sri Lanka, while a decline in the rate of smoking among the general public has been noticed.

According to Dr. Rajapksa, the rate of smoking among the general public has reduced by 6%, in comparison to last year.

Moreover, the rate of consumption of Tobacco Leaves, which stood at 15% back in 2019, has now reduced to 13%. However, there is only a slight reduction in the rate of consumption and production of narcotics has been noted, he added.

What’s more alarming is the increasing rate of consumption of Cannabis and other toxic drugs, such as heroin, Dr. Rajapaksa mentioned.

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