BANGKOK, March 12 – The Southeast Asia Tobacco Control Alliance (SEATCA) has lauded Thailand on the recent signing of a regulation requiring 85 per cent graphic health warnings (GHWs) on cigarette packs sold in Thailand. The new regulation takes effect within 6 months once it is published in the Royal Gazette, Thai News Agency (TNA) reported.
On Monday, Public Health Minister Dr. Pradith Sinthawanarong signed the regulation which sees health warning labels on tobacco products sold on the domestic market increasing from 55 per cent to 85 per cent. SEATCA director Bungon Ritthiphakdee said: “SEATCA would like to convey our heartiest congratulations to Thailand for its leadership in tobacco control.
Its enactment of rules to put in place the largest GHWs on cigarette packs speaks to its political will and example to safeguard the health of its people.” Other member countries in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) that currently have GHW policy are Brunei, Singapore and Malaysia.
SEATCA, however, warned that the tobacco industry and its front groups including tobacco farmers would likely lobby to fight and block the regulation. Last month, the Thai Tobacco Trade Association — allegedly funded by tobacco firm Phillip Morris — submitted a letter to the Ministry of Health opposing the new GHW policy.
The tobacco industry has posed many challenges in the Asean bloc such as attempts to block laws on 100-percent smoke-free policies in public and work places, and fight against regulations that ban the adding of flavourings in tobacco.
BERNAMA
