Smokers puff on despite govt policies
Most people don't think the government's anti-smoking policies can help reduce the number of smokers, a recent Bangkok Poll revealed.
About 74 per cent of the 1,076 respondents said despite the government’s efforts, smokers still keep smoking.
These campaigns included printing smoking-related disease pictures on cigarette packs, having celebrities communicate anti-smoking messages to the public and even increasing cigarette taxes that push up the prices,
Only 19 per cent of people said they believed the policies could help reduce number of smokers.
The respondents – from Bangkok and neighbouring provinces – included smokers and non-smokers whose family members smoked. Prof Dr Prakit Vathesatogkit, secretary-general of the Action on Smoking and Health Foundation, said the smoking rate among Thai men had dropped from 60 per cent to 45 per cent over the past 25 years. The smoking rate among women stood at 2.6 per cent.
Although 6 million Thais had given up smoking, the men’s rate remained high. The number of smokers reached 13 million, resulting in 50,000 deaths each year.
Prakit said the foundation also aimed at decreasing the number of male smokers to less than 25 per cent in 10 years by laws and social measures.
Today marks No Smoking Day 2012. Bangkok Poll conducted the survey to reflect Thais’ opinions about smoking and government policies that could be improved.
The survey revealed that 85 per cent of smokers thought at times about giving up their habit, and 54 per cent said they wanted to do it for themselves, while 32 per cent wanted to give up smoking for the sake of their loved ones.
However, 30.3 per cent of people who insisted on smoking said they were not determined enough to stop, and 17 per cent believed they could not stop because of stress.
Most – 85 per cent – said they cared for people surrounding them, so they tried to avoid smoking when they were in company. Only 9 per cent did not care and said if people did not like when they were smoking, they should avoid that smoking area.
The poll also questioned non-smokers. About 53 per cent said they had asked their family members who are smokers to stop smoking for the family’s sake.