January 27th, 2006, 05:48
"The Nation
Published on Jan 26 , 2006
The Public Health Ministry is going all out in its effort to stop smoking among Thais with its comprehensive plans ranging from the ban on small packets of cigarettes to declaring pubs and bars smoking free. In the future, non-smokers may also be able to seek compensation from cigarette companies if they fell ill because of smoking-filled environment. "We have prepared both short-term and long-term measures to curb smoking," Public Health Minister Pinij Charusombat said Thursday.
For the short-term measures, Pinij said his ministry was going to ban the small packets of cigarettes or retailing it singles - not the whole pack - before the end of this year. "We are urgently pushing for the legal amendment," he said.
He believed the measure should be able to reduce the number of smokers among women and youths because the small packets usually offered attractively slim-shaped cigarettes with special favours like strawberry and chocolate. He added that his ministry was going to change the pictorial warning and warning messages on cigarette packets within the next one or two years. "The change is necessary because studies have showed that people would get accustomed to the familiar warnings after some time and they might just ignore the warnings," Pinij said.
Aside, he said his ministry also planned to require cigarette packets to show their toxic ingredient.
By 2008, Pinij said his ministry would declare all pubs, bars and entertainment venues to become smoking free. "We will push for necessary legislation," he said. On the long-term measure, he said his ministry would open a legal channel for smoking victims to sue to cigarette companies for their health damages."
By 2008!!!!!!!!!!!
Published on Jan 26 , 2006
The Public Health Ministry is going all out in its effort to stop smoking among Thais with its comprehensive plans ranging from the ban on small packets of cigarettes to declaring pubs and bars smoking free. In the future, non-smokers may also be able to seek compensation from cigarette companies if they fell ill because of smoking-filled environment. "We have prepared both short-term and long-term measures to curb smoking," Public Health Minister Pinij Charusombat said Thursday.
For the short-term measures, Pinij said his ministry was going to ban the small packets of cigarettes or retailing it singles - not the whole pack - before the end of this year. "We are urgently pushing for the legal amendment," he said.
He believed the measure should be able to reduce the number of smokers among women and youths because the small packets usually offered attractively slim-shaped cigarettes with special favours like strawberry and chocolate. He added that his ministry was going to change the pictorial warning and warning messages on cigarette packets within the next one or two years. "The change is necessary because studies have showed that people would get accustomed to the familiar warnings after some time and they might just ignore the warnings," Pinij said.
Aside, he said his ministry also planned to require cigarette packets to show their toxic ingredient.
By 2008, Pinij said his ministry would declare all pubs, bars and entertainment venues to become smoking free. "We will push for necessary legislation," he said. On the long-term measure, he said his ministry would open a legal channel for smoking victims to sue to cigarette companies for their health damages."
By 2008!!!!!!!!!!!