Alcohol Act creates confusion

The National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol Act, which came into force on December 1, has caused much confusion among many parties.

The Sunday Times learns that the National Authority has not yet been established but the Health Ministry is hoping to set up the authority soon.

Regarding authorised officers, the Act states ‘any Food and Drugs Inspector or Public Health Inspector as appointed by the Minister and any police officer or an Excise officer shall be an Authorized Officer of the Authority for the purposes of this Act’.

But these officers have not yet received any authorization document or an identity card stating they are authorized officers under this Act.

Section 16 in Part I of the Act also states, ‘An Authorized Officer acting under this section may, if so required, produce his authority’.

Colombo Municipal Council Chief Medical Officer Dr. Pradeep Kariyawasam said PHIs in Colombo have not yet taken action under this Act without proper authorization.

“Our PHIs have the authorization under the Food Act, but not under this Act so we can’t actively probe into places as that may create problems. For the moment we have sent letters to hotels and restaurants reminding them of the regulations under this Act”, he said.

Excise Commissioner (Crimes and Training Division) D.G.M.V.Hapuarachchi said Excise officers have not done any investigation, as there was confusion among the officers.

“First we have to educate all our officers on the contents of this Act and brief them on their limits, if not we will face much trouble in courts. It will take at least 2-3 weeks for the awareness programmes to be held,” he said.

Pettah Police OIC Jayaratne Manamperi said two people were arrested on Wednesday for smoking in an enclosed public area but refused to give more details of it. Meanwhile Galle Police said smokers had been warned but no arrests made. Dambulla Police arrested 11 persons smoking at the Economic Centre and at the main bus stand a few days ago.

Police said the accused were released after being produced in courts. The Sunday Times learns that some shops and restaurants have adopted their own strategies.