Thai Public Health to ban smoking in pubs and bars

"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!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm counting the days.

So in future will boys still be able to smoke me?

[bkkguy]

So in future will boys still be able to smoke me?

not if you are a fag!

bkkguy

Yes!

No smoking cigarettes in bars. Bring it on.

If there is a ban would be nice if the gay places obeyed it.
Remember that Balcony and Telephone didn't stop people smoking when no smoking in restaurants was introduced.

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[catawampuscat]

Many of us are old enough to remember when smoking cigarettes was commonplace everywhere, in hospitals, airplanes, restaurants, even elevators...What we all took for granted, now seems rude, disgusting, vile and unacceptable..It will take time but eventually people in Thailand will get used to not smoking in public places ..It is happening now in European countries where people said it won't work but it will in time...

Unfortunately, it is still cool and hip for people to smoke and among Thais it is also a communal thing like sharing food, clothing, other possessions with family and friends and acquaintances..I often see the boys pass a cigarette around for a drag and if a pack is left out on a table, it is an open invitation to all who pass by to partake..
With income from the taxes and influence from the powerful tobacco groups to contend with, the government actually is moving forward, albeit at a snail's pace but still moving forward...