Thailand enacts plain packaging
No eye candy
Thailand’s generic packaging law took effect on Tuesday, requiring tobacco products to be sold in packs without branding, according to Japan Times. Retailers have until Dec. 8 to phase out stocks of branded packs before facing fines of up to THB40,000 ($1,300).
In 2012, Australia became the first country to require tobacco products to be sold without colorful brand logos. Since then, a host of countries have followed suit, including France, Hungary and the U.K.
The standardized packaging includes a graphic health warning along with the brand name written in plain font.
Prakit Vathesatogkit, vice chair of the nongovernmental organization Southeast Asia Tobacco Control Alliance, said he expects plain packaging to make tobacco products less attractive to buyers.
“For nonsmokers, for kids, they are less likely to start [using tobacco products],” he said.
Singapore is set to implement similar restrictions on packaging next year.
