🚭 Sri Lankan Universities & Global Partners Unite for Tobacco Cessation

Leading Sri Lankan universities, global health organizations, and policymakers convened in Colombo for a high-level roundtable under the Global Health RESPIRE Project to advance tobacco smoking cessation strategies. • Key Initiative: The discussion focused on evidence-based, low-cost, and scalable policy and clinical interventions aimed at reducing respiratory diseases and driving Sri Lanka toward a smoke-free future. • Local Institutional Drivers: The project is driven by top local academic bodies, including the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, University of Peradeniya, Rajarata University, Wayamba University, and KDU. • Stakeholder Collaboration: Key participants included Deputy Health Minister Dr. Hansaka Wijemuni, officials from the Ministry of Health, WHO, NATA, SLMA, and civil society groups like ADIC and Sarvodaya. • Global Scope: Co-led by the University of Edinburgh and Universiti Malaya, RESPIRE spans eight countries (including Bangladesh, India, and the UK) and is funded by the UK National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).