National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol (NATA) is going to initiate legal actions against the newly launched cinnamon based cigarette “Lion Heart”.

Viraj Bandaranayake the Legal Head of NATA stated that the manufacturer of the cigarette had failed to obtain necessary approval from the Ayurveda Department and Health Ministry. Also he further explained this advertising is violation of the law under the Tobacco and Alcohol Act of Sri Lanka.

But it was recently promoted by Minister of Industries Wimal Weerawansa. Viraj Bandaranayake further explained that as the manufacturer didnt submit a public survey before launching the product company did not have the power to launch it to the local market.

He also mentioned that authority had sent a written request to the company advising it to stop manufacturing and distributing the cigarette but the company had disagreed to the request.

So he explained this as a initiation for other products to be launched to the local market without mandatory approval.