Thai Health Promotion Foundation and earmarked tobacco tax
A landmark in health promotion in Thailand came in 2001 with the establishment of the Thai Health Promotion Foundation (ThaiHealth) as a health promotion funding mechanism that draws upon a 2 percent surcharge levied on alcohol and tobacco excise tax, approximately USD 50-60 million a year. In 2001, the Cabinet issued Thai Health Promotion Foundation Act, B.E. 2544 to establish a progressive financial mechanism for health promotion. This foundation works as a catalytic funding agency for civil movements that lead to the improvement in well-being of Thai citizen. The organization collaborates with all sectors of the society, from the national to the grassroots level, and is the most notable organization for health promotion in Thailand. ThaiHealth funds programs on health risks/issues such as alcohol, tobacco,accidents, exercise, as well as area or setting based programs, for example, school, work place, community, and programs that target specific population groups such as the youth, the elderly, Muslim community.
In 2008, about 23% of the tobacco revenue for ThaiHealth was spent for tobacco control activities. ThaiHealth financed tobacco control campaigns (US$ 3 million), smoke-free projects (US$ 1.08 and other tobacco control projects and research (US$ 1.14 million).