BANGKOK, 3 July 2017 (NNT) – The Ministry of Public Health is moving forward with the enforcement of the Tobacco Control Act 2017, targeting to safeguard youth and non-smokers against the dangers of tobacco.

Together with Dr Prakit Vathesatogkit, Secretary-General of the Action on Smoking and Health Foundation, Public Health Minister Dr Piyasakol Sakolsatayadorn chaired a press conference to reiterate the content of the Tobacco Control Act 2017, which will take effect from tomorrow onwards.

The latest version of the law strictly prohibits sales of tobacco in temples, medical facilities, pharmacies, educational institutes, public parks, zoos and amusement parks. Relevant businesses must refrain from conducting CSR activities and must not sell cigarettes by individual pieces. The fine for smoking in no-smoking areas has also been increased to no more than 5,000 baht.

According to statistics, smoking kills over 50,000 people in Thailand each year while the government has to spend tens of billions of baht to provide treatment for tobacco addicts. With marketing strategies for tobacco products growing even fiercer, the Tobacco Control Act 2017 was devised to prevent youth and other public members from taking up smoking and protect their health from cigarette smoke.

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