Thai Tobacco Trade Association launched

 

 

 

 

 

 

The launch coincides with the recent hike in tobacco excise taxes. The TTA said that given the big size of the industry, any moves in the future should be made only after consulting with the association. 

"The TTTA’s primary function will be to represent the views of its members in communicating with Government authorities, the media and others on issues of shared interest and concern, including taxation and regulations.  As such, the association will strive to be the preferred partner for the Government on tobacco industry policy and the preferred source for the media on tobacco industry stories," said Varaporn Namatra, executive director of Thai Tobacco Trade Association.

The TTTA will assist its members by providing information, advice and education about the industry and the Association will focus its efforts on five cores areas: 

-  Creating a rational and balanced regulatory regime 

- Working to prevent youth smoking

- Finding programs to help the trade to give back to local communities

- Supporting government anti-illicit trade efforts 

- Ensuring fair and reasonable taxation of all tobacco products

The association currently has more than 1,300 members across the country.

According to the latest data from the Excise Department, there are nearly 500,000 registered holders of tobacco selling licenses in the country today, and the value of revenue generated from selling cigarettes is 12.6 per cent of total retailer revenue2. In addition, tobacco products generated more than Bt57 billion in excise tax revenue for the government, equivalent to 14.3 per cent of the entire excise tax collected, in fiscal year 20113.