Strict for smokers
WHO approves of proposed laws
The World Health Organisation (WHO) backs the Public Health Ministry’s new tobacco control law, the government said on February 18.
WHO director-general Margaret Chan expressed support for the law in a letter to Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, Public Health Minister Rajata Rajatanavin reported.
The law is awaiting cabinet scrutiny but has already met strong resistance among tobacco retailers and growers who fear they will lose benefits. The bill’s main targets are to reduce smoking among youths by increasing the minimum age at which somebody can buy tobacco from 18 to 20 years old, banning the online sale of tobacco products and the sale of individual cigarettes. The law will also list e-cigarette and baraku as tobacco products.