New tobacco law being fast-tracked in Thailand

Thailand’s Public Health Minister Rajata Rajatanavin yesterday blamed the finance and agriculture ministries for delaying a new, stricter law aimed at controlling the consumption of tobacco and cigarettes, according to a story in The Nation.

Rajata said the two ministries had 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 implementation in four to six months.

He said the new law, which could be debated either when it was with the Council of State or being scrutinised by the National Legislative Assembly, would not affect Thai tobacco growers or violate international trade laws.

The Nation said the new law would forbid the sale of cigarettes to people under the age of 20, encourage smaller cigarette packs, ban advertising or marketing of tobacco via electronic or social media, and prohibit tobacco companies from participating in corporate social responsibility activities.