Programme should be launched to save people from smoking -Health officials

Laggala and Wilgamuwa, where the highest number of kidney patients in the Matale District are found, reported to spend over Rs. 2 million a month on cigarettes, according to a recent government survey. The health officials said that the number of kidney patients is increasing day by day and now there are more than 2,000 patients in these areas. Meanwhile, it was further revealed that some people who are facing financial difficulties are using beedi or other substitutes instead of cigarettes. Hence, the health officials said that smoking is one of the main reasons for the development of kidney disease. As such, they emphasize that a formal programme should be launched by the authorities to save people from smoking as soon as possible.