“Abhisheka” Promotions through common restaurants in Padeniya, Kurunegala

Location: Padeniya town, Kurunegala District

Date of observation: 21st July 2025

Reported by: Ruchira Madushan

Overview:

A restaurant / common eatery with the Abhisheka signboard was observed in the Padeniya town of the Kurunegala district.

Location details:

Located by the side of the Colombo-Kurunegala road, with high visibility to the public.

Promotional strategy:

This is a common restaurant frequented by families and individuals travelling along the Colombo-Kurunegala road. The promotion of cigarettes through the signboard in such a location highlights the way in which the tobacco industry uses subtle strategies incorporating their promotion within food stalls.

Implications and concerns:

Such indirect advertising strategies blur the lines between regular consumer services and tobacco marketing, normalizing tobacco presence in everyday spaces. The high visibility of the signboard along the road further increases exposure, including to children and youth, potentially influencing perceptions toward smoking.

This practice undermines existing tobacco control regulations that aim to restrict advertising and promotion, especially in public and family-friendly environments.