Colinie Wickramaarachchi

Tourism is widely recognised as a catalyst for sustainable development, particularly in regions where it supports employment, foreign exchange earnings and local entrepreneurship. However, the extent to which tourism contributes to sustainable development depends on macroeconomic stability and policy environments that enable long‐term investment rather than short‐term revenue maximisation. This study examines the causal relationships between tourism receipts, per capita GDP (PGDP), and exchange rates across 46 Asian countries from 2000 to 2020, while controlling for trade openness to account for broader external sector exposure. Employing a panel data framework that accounts for cross‐sectional dependence, heterogeneity, and mixed integration properties, the analysis combines second‐generation unit root and cointegration tests with country‐specific Granger causality techniques. The findings reveal substantial heterogeneity in causal dynamics across countries. In some economies, tourism‐led growth emerges, where expanding tourism receipts stimulate economic growth. In others, economy‐driven tourism dominates, indicating that rising income levels facilitate tourism development through improved infrastructure and destination competitiveness. Exchange rate stability plays an important conditioning role, shaping the extent to which tourism revenues translate into sustained development gains. Countries characterised by stable exchange rate environments are better positioned to channel tourism income toward long‐term, sustainability‐oriented investments. The study offers actionable policy insights by demonstrating that macroeconomic stability is a prerequisite for sustainable tourism development. Strengthening exchange rate governance, promoting eco‐friendly tourism investment, and enhancing regional cooperation can support a transition from growth‐oriented tourism strategies toward sustainable development pathways.

Background: Smoking causes Trachea, Bronchus, and Lung Cancer (TBLC) mortality, depicting a strong correlation, while the quality of healthcare access in countries considerably impacts health outcomes. This study evaluates the differential effect in the interplay between Smoking Prevalence (SP) and health care, employing the Healthcare Access and Quality (HAQ) index towards the TBLC mortality rates across diverse continents and globally. Methods: The data covering a 30-year period for 204 countries globally was categorised based on the level of SP (Low, Moderate, High, Critical) and the quality of healthcare access (Poor, Limited, Adequate, Optimal). A two-way ANOVA was utilised to analyse the patterns and variations in TBLC mortality rates across these categories, exploring the interactions between SP and the HAQ Index. Results: Distinct patterns were observed in each continent, highlighting the complex interactions between the HAQ Index and SP, which lead to varying health outcomes. The results indicate that regions with an optimal HAQ Index and low SP have lower TBLC death rates, whereas those with a poor HAQ Index and critical SP exhibit higher death rates. Conclusion: The findings emphasise the need to address both smoking prevalence and healthcare facilities globally. By improving healthcare access and reducing smoking rates, governments can significantly lower TBLC mortality rates. This study underlines the importance of integrating public health policies that limit smoking prevalence with enhancements in healthcare systems to promote better health and well-being.

Background: Alcohol consumption frequently experiences episodes of severe anxiety. This study set out to explore the long-term effects of alcohol consumption on anxiety, revealing insights into how alcohol consumption uniquely impact anxiety, aiming to inform mental health and public health approaches. This research paper explores the complex relationship between the prevalence of anxiety and the consumption patterns of wine, beer, and spirits across fifty-two high-income countries with a continental analysis. Method: By employing significant secondary data taken from the World Health Organization and Our World in Data online databases and covering the period from 1990 to 2019, this study seeks to explore various causality relationships over this period. Its primary objective is to fill the empirical gap in existing research by using Granger causality analysis to reveal the dynamic relationships between the consumption of alcohol and the prevalence of anxiety. This study endeavours to provide a continental analysis of the high-income countries, which allows for including a comprehensive viewpoint in the context of a single investigation. Results: The findings demonstrate a variety of patterns of causality in alcohol consumption and anxiety prevalence in a one-way causal relationship across specific continents, a bidirectional relationship in others, and no apparent causal relationship in several countries. Conclusion: The inference made from the study’s results goes beyond scholarly curiosity; it establishes the foundation for further investigations and the development of customised policies aimed at reducing the mutually reinforcing dangers of alcohol consumption and anxiety disorders.

Cardiovascular diseases have become a growing concern in lower-middle-income countries, not only as a public health challenge but also as a critical management issue influencing workforce productivity, absenteeism, and organizational performance. Understanding how lifestyle factors such as alcohol consumption affect cardiovascular health is vital for developing sustainable workplace health strategies. This study examines the impact of alcohol consumption—classified as wine, beer, and spirits—on cardiovascular diseases while incorporating key determinants such as cholesterol, diabetes, obesity, and tobacco use within lower-middle-income countries. Using panel data from 170 countries between 1990 and 2019, this study applies fixed and random effects regression models to explore the relationship between alcohol consumption patterns and cardiovascular disease prevalence. The analysis integrates major lifestyle and health variables to assess their combined impact on national and workforce health outcomes. Findings reveal that alcohol consumption, particularly beer and spirits, has a significant positive association with cardiovascular disease risk, while cholesterol, obesity, and tobacco use further exacerbate these effects. Interestingly, diabetes prevalence demonstrated a negative relationship with cardiovascular disease within lower-middle-income countries. The results underscore the economic and managerial implications of unmanaged lifestyle risks that contribute to lost productivity and healthcare burdens. This study highlights the critical intersection between health behavior and management, suggesting that promoting responsible alcohol consumption and preventive health measures can enhance workforce well-being and productivity. The insights provide valuable guidance for human resource professionals, organizational leaders, and policymakers in designing evidence-based wellness programs, occupational health policies, and strategic interventions aimed at reducing cardiovascular risks in developing economies. Keywords: Alcohol consumption, Cardiovascular disease, Tobacco consumption, Panel regression, Lower-middle-income countries