EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
TRENDS
Thailand has strict legislation to protect the population from cigarettes. The government and the private sector also collaborate in anti-smoking campaigns. For example, in 2014, such campaigns produced advertisements that discouraged smoking at home. The campaigns organised by the government and private sector are aimed less at persuading smokers to quit the habit immediately and more at showing the harmful effects of cigarette smoking on the smoker and those around him or her. The key aim is to dissuade potential new smokers, especially young people. Therefore, in 2014, many anti-smoking campaigns were focused on educational institutions (schools, universities).
COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE
In 2014, Thailand Tobacco Monopoly (TTM) was the key player in cigarettes with 18 brands. Moreover, TTM exported tobacco products aboard. In Thailand, TTM accounted for a 70% share of retail volume sales. The company comes under the control of the Ministry of Finance, which is managed by the government. The international player Philip Morris (Thailand), which offers L&M and Marlboro, was ranked second with a 29% share in 2014.
PROSPECTS
In November 2014, The Ministry of Public Health proposed new tobacco legislation to the government. The ministry aims to reduce the number of youth smokers by 100,000 annually. Smoking is considered a serious issue. The smoking rate among the over 15-year-old population in Thailand is around 40%, and a reduction in the rate occurs very slowly. Of most concern, is the increasing rate of smoking among youths.