The Public Health Inspector's Union of Sri Lanka has warned that strict legal action will be taken to ban the use, sale, and distribution of tobacco-mixed betel quid, as oral cancer remains one of the leading cancer types reported in Sri Lanka.
Union Treasurer - M.A.C. Prasad said the main cause of oral cancer among Sri Lankans is the consumption of tobacco-mixed betel quid and other smokeless tobacco products.
He emphasised that under Sri Lankan law, betel quid cannot contain tobacco, and that selling, distributing, possessing, displaying for sale, or storing tobacco-containing betel quid is a punishable offence.
Prasad further stated that Public Health Inspectors across the country are conducting regular inspections and raids intending to protect public health.
The Union urged the public to act responsibly to reduce the risk of cancer and requested shop owners and business operators to comply with the law to avoid legal consequences.
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