Legal action is to be initiated against the newly launched cinnamon-based cigarette ‘Lion Heart”, which was recently promoted by Minister of Industries Wimal Weerawansa.
According to the Daily Mirror, legal action is to be initiated by the National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol (NATA).
The Legal Head of NATA, Viraj Bandaranayake said the manufacturer of the cigarette had failed to obtain necessary approval from the Ayurveda Department and Health Ministry.
He said this was a violation of the law under the Tobacco and Alcohol Act of Sri Lanka.
Bandaranayake said the company had failed to conduct a public survey and submit a report in this regard prior to launching the product.
He said therefore the company did not have the power to launch it to the local market.
The Legal Head of NATA said the Authority had sent a written request to the company advising it to refrain from manufacturing and distributing the cigarette, which the company had completely disregarded.
Viraj Bandaranayake said this act could pave the way for other products to be launched to the local market without mandatory approval.
The ‘Lion heart’ cinnamon-based cigarette was launched to the public by Minister of Industries Wimal Weerawansa on Wednesday (17).
Addressing the launch event, Minister Weerawansa had said he will provide his support for the product as the Minister of Industries despite attempts by various institutions to prevent the manufacturing of the cinnamon-based cigarettes. (NewsWire)