Why Smart Regulation, Not Prohibition, Will Protect Sri Lanka’s Youth By Jithendra Antonio

The recent firestorm surrounding e-cigarette use among Sri Lanka’s youth has ignited a critical policy debate in Sri Lanka. So, what’s really at stake here? Protecting our youth is and must always remain a national priority. Yet, regulators and policymakers must resist knee-jerk prohibitionist responses, as any proposed solutions must be evidence-based, enforceable, and sustainable in the long run.

It would serve Sri Lanka well to study global case studies from countries with established e-cigarette markets and extract critical lessons from their experiences. The data tells a compelling story:  regulation consistently outperforms prohibition.  While bans may appear as a silver bullet, the empirical evidence demonstrates they invariably create thriving black markets that leave young people more vulnerable and retailers less accountable.

 Here’s the irony: Sri Lanka’s lack of a regulatory framework has created a vacuum in the market that is being exploited by illegitimate trade. Currently, no e-cigarettes are legally available, yet, unregulated devices and unchecked liquids flood our market, and are, being sold without age verifications, quality standards, or accountability.

 This regulatory vacuum paradoxically makes access to illegitimate products easier for young people than properly regulated ones would be.  The solution lies not in prohibition, but through strategic legislation, retail controls, and education. With concrete measures such as age restrictions, and robust enforcement mechanisms, authorities can restrict these products to adult consumers while simultaneously eliminating black market operations. Simply put regulation starves the black market of oxygen.

Many recent debates have cantered around whether e-cigarettes are as harmful as traditional cigarettes.  Let’s examine what the evidence actually reveals.  The scientific consensus is clear: while no nicotine products are absolutely harm-free, e-cigarettes, vapes, and other combustion-free nicotine products are demonstrably less harmful than combustible cigarettes. Public Health England maintains these products are 95% less harmful than traditional cigarettes and consistently reports that vaping carries only a fraction of smoking’s risks.

The Royal College of Physicians and European health authorities similarly position these products as legitimate tools for adult smokers seeking alternatives. Even the World Health Organization (WHO) acknowledges conclusive evidence that completely substituting electronic nicotine and non-nicotine delivery systems for combustible tobacco cigarettes significantly reduces exposure to the myriad toxicants and carcinogens present in combustible cigarettes.

Australia implemented a prescription-only model in 2021.  The outcomes should give Sri Lankan policymakers pause.  Today, an estimated 1.4 million adult vapers exist in Australia, with 90% of them sourcing vapes illegally.  The prescription model, rather than controlling access, has driven illegal imports and black-market sales to unprecedented levels, completely undermining public health goals while keeping youth exposure high.

Success Stories: The UK and New Zealand Models

 Conversely, countries embracing risk-proportionate regulation over prohibition have achieved remarkable results.  The United Kingdom regulated e-cigarettes as consumer products with age restrictions, marketing guidelines, and product standards.  The result?  Smoking rates plummeted to record lows, with vaping now integrated as a key tool in national quit-smoking campaigns, while youth use remains monitored and controlled.

New Zealand followed a similar blueprint, combining age-of-sale laws with strategic messaging.  Their smoking rates dropped from 16.4% in 2011/12 to 6.8% in 2022/23 ( a reduction of nearly 60%), demonstrating conclusively that regulation can achieve dual objectives: youth protection and adult harm reduction.

Sri Lanka faces a clear choice.  Continuing down the path of prohibition will inevitably expand black-market sales and perpetuate youth exposure.  In contrast, comprehensive legislation, along with robust regulation offers a balanced, evidence-based solution. Through age restrictions, product standards and effective enforcement,  Sri Lanka can  protect  its youth while providing adult smokers with  significantly less harmful alternatives — a win-win scenario backed by international evidence.

Author’s Bio

The writer, Jithendra Antonio is a consultant specialized in Data Analytics with a special focus on Sri Lanka’s Future Direction, and in the fields of Sustainable Energy, ESG, Public Policy, Investments and Telecommunications. He can be reached at [email protected].