The Prime Minister said even though the political and social intervention are needed to control smoking, what is more important is the self-control to get rid of the addiction on smoking after knowing its consequences. He observed family, school, religious institutions, social institutions and media should act with responsibility in this regard. Prime Minister Wickremesinghe pointed out that even though the previous government introduced the "Mathata Thitha" concept and established the National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol in 2006, those failed to achieve the stipulated targets. He reminded that the 80 percent pictorial warnings on cigarette packets became a reality only after a hard struggle.

"With each burning cigarette the physical and mental health are also burnt, while weakening the economic strength. Isn't it a tragedy that physical, mental and economic strength needed to fulfill one's duties to family and society getting burnt with the cigarettes? It is important to remind that there are many more meaningful hobbies than the fatal cigarette,"he said.