ASH THAILAND Several Countries Support Thailands Policy to Increase Health Warning Statements to 85% on Cigarette Packs
Press Release: ASH THAILAND Several Countries Support Thailands Policy to Increase Health Warning Statements to 85% on Cigarette Packs
Various worldwide organizations support the Ministry of Public Health of Thailand to go forward with 85% health warning statements on cigarette packs in order to prevent deaths caused by smoking. Prof. Dr. Prakit Vathesatogkit pointed that this change does not infringe on any trade mark laws as alleged by a network of tobacco companies.
Prof. Dr. Prakit Vathesatogkit, the Executive Secretary of ASH Thailand said that 10 leaders of leading international public health organizations submitted letters to the Ministry of Public Heath praising Thailands move to enlarge the area of the health warning statement from 55% to 85% in order to increase the effectiveness of warning of the harms of smoking. Especially, this helps to reduce attention to cigarette packs by adolescents who at risk of becoming initial smokers. Cigarettes are not a normal product and are dangerous drugs that harm both smokers and exposed non-smokers, causing the death of 50,000 Thai people each year.
Prof. Dr. Prakit Vathesatogkit also said that a new announcement of the Ministry of Public Health defines 85% of pictorial warnings and cigarette producers are allowed displaying their brand on the remaining area (15%) on the cigarette pack. This announcement is different than Australias measure which is considered as the most effective measure which does not allow having any trade mark on cigarette packs except the cigarette brand name and is required to use a standard font size and color stipulated in the governments regulation.
In the meantime, several organizations protested this issue and also submitted letters to the Prime Minister claiming that the 85% pictorial warming is a trademark violation and creates disadvantages to tobacco farmers. Prof. Dr. Prakit Vathesatogkit said that these claims are misleading and information was distorted with the tobacco companies behind these false claims and also hiring legal firms to represent their interests.
Uruguay has passed legislation requiring 80% pictorial warnings on cigarette packs since 2009. However, no country has made claims to the World Trade Organization in terms of violations of the tobacco companys trademark or intellectual property rights. Yet, organizations claiming trademark and intellectual property rights who work for international tobacco companies threaten the Thai Ministry of Public Health and the Thai Government based on these supposed violations. However, this is not worrying because there are no violations of these rights.
The Minister of the Ministry of Public Health signed the Notification of the Ministry of Public Health on 8 March 2013. I would like to ask all sectors to encourage the Ministry of Public Health not to surrender under pressure. However, if the Notification is changed due to protests by parties from cigarette companies, the Government of Thailand would be looked at as more afraid of international cigarette companies than failing to stand to protect the public health of Thai people, said Professor, Dr. Prakit.
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