Minister plays blame game over delayed tobacco bill
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PUBLIC HEALTH MINISTER Rajata Rajatanavin yesterday blamed the Finance and Agriculture ministries for delaying the process to activate a new, stricter law aimed at controlling the consumption of tobacco and cigarettes in Thailand.
The minister said the ministries have until next week to come up with their stance on the much-awaited bill or it would be forwarded to the Cabinet for approval and implemented in four to six months.
Rajata said the new law would not affect Thai tobacco growers or violate international trade laws, adding that the bill can be debated either when it is with the Council of State or being scrutinised by the National Legislative Assembly.
Somsri Paosawas, chairperson of the National Alliance for Tobacco-Free Thailand, said the existing 20-year-old law on controlling tobacco consumption had loopholes that were being exploited by tobacco companies to promote smoking among younger people and women.
She said 40 per cent of the male population and as many as 2 million juvenile Thais smoke.
Some Bt50 billion is spent every year on the treatment of cancer and other diseases stemming from smoking, she said.
The new bill will strictly forbid the sale of cigarettes to people below 20, encourage smaller cigarette packs, will ban advertising or marketing of tobacco via electronic or social media and prohibit tobacco companies from participating in corporate social responsibility activities.
