EN සිංහල
Prevention & Awareness Program

Life should be about
Freedom, Happiness, & Purpose.

...Not Addiction.

Discover the scientific truth about alcohol, tobacco, and drugs. Let's break the cycle and empower the youth to take control.

What is Addiction?

It doesn’t start big — it starts small. People think it’s “harmless” at first.

How It Starts

Peer Pressure
Curiosity
Stress
Social Influence

Myths vs Reality

Myth: "It reduces stress and is harmless."

Reality: It physically alters the brain, damages health, and creates immense long-term stress.

Myth: "Everyone is doing it."

Reality: You only see what's visible. The majority live healthy, meaningful lives without substances.

The Trap: The Addiction Cycle

1

Try for Fun

Harmless curiosity.

2

Repeat Socially

Becoming a habit.

3

Become Dependent

Cravings start.

4

Lose Control

Life becomes restricted.

Major Health Problem in Sri Lanka

The Silent Epidemic

0 %

of all deaths in Sri Lanka

Are caused by Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs).

40-50
Deaths per day from smoking
~15,000
Deaths per year

Smoking & Drug Effects

"Smoking destroys both body and mind."

Short-Term Effects

Bad Smell Reduced Energy Breathing Difficulty Loss of Appetite Poor Performance

Long-Term Effects & Diseases

Cancer
Heart Disease
Lung Damage
Mental Issues
Kidney Disease
Sexual Weakness
Financial Impact

The Price We All Pay

It drains personal savings and creates a massive economic disaster for the country.

Personal Cost Overview
(Based on 3 cigarettes/day)

Rs. 0

Daily

Rs. 0

Monthly

Rs. 0

Yearly Loss

What else you could do with Rs. 172,800 a year

Laptop

A Quality Laptop

Invest in your education and career

Vacation

A Vacation Abroad

Create unforgettable memories

Groceries

Months of Groceries

Provide quality food for your family

Investment

A Solid Investment

Grow your wealth for the future

Economic Impact on Sri Lanka

"The country loses MORE than it earns from tobacco."

Govt. Income from Tobacco Rs. 92.9 Billion
Cost of Smoking-Related Issues Rs. 214 Billion

Tobacco Industry Reality

  • They increase profits while harming people. Weak policies allow their growth.
  • Price increases often still benefit the companies massively.
  • Example: Extra Rs. 18 million daily income goes to these companies from simple habit maintenance.
Manipulation

The Media Illusion

"Smoking is made to look 'cool' and 'normal' to target the youth."

Hidden Manipulation

Characters people admire are used to promote smoking. More exposure = higher chance of youth starting.

Movies Ads Social Media Celebrities Cartoons
Statistics

Usage Is A Growing Problem

Alcohol and cigarette consumption are continuously trending upward.

Daily Alcohol Consumption (Units/Day)

2022 121 Units
2024 125 Units

Cigarette Production

Trends from 1995–2021 show a persistent presence of manufacturing despite health campaigns, enforcing the need for personal awareness.

Psycho & Social Traps

Life becomes trapped and restricted. It affects not just you, but everyone around you.

Limits Life

  • Freedom
  • Happiness
  • Relationships
  • Future Opportunities

Leads To

  • Isolation
  • Poor Decision Making
  • Absolute Dependence

Broader Social Impact

Affects families, communities, and the economy, ultimately leading to poverty, health burdens, and severe social issues.

Addiction is not freedom.
It is a trap that destroys life slowly.

Real life should be Free, Healthy, Happy, and Meaningful.

Take Control of Your Future