Researchers Learn that the Economy and Social Benefits from Tobacco Control are High at 12 Times Investment
Researchers learn that the economy and social benefits from tobacco control are high at 12 times InvestmentPress Release: Tobacco Control Research and Knowledge Management Center
(TRC) Date: 23 January 2015 Release date: For Immediate Release At the academic meeting on tobacco control at the regional level at the Rama Garden Hotel on 22 January 2015 hosted by the Tobacco Control Research and Knowledge Management Center (TRC), Mahidol University, supported by the Thai Health Promotion Foundation (ThaiHealth), Dr. Siriwan Pitayarangsarit, Director of TRC, explained that the purpose of the meeting was to evaluate the reduction of tobacco use along with targets set by the Ministry of Public Health; “The policy of 3 Reductions and 3 Increases”. The 3 Reductions are to reduce new initial smokers, to reduce present smokers, and to reduce secondhand smokers. The 3 Increases are to increase mechanisms to prevent interventions from the tobacco industry, to increase staff working at the regional level / area, and to increase effective innovation in tobacco control.
Dr. Piya Hanvoravongchai, lecturer at the Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, revealed that the study of investment in driving tobacco control during 2002 – 2011 indicated that the economic and social return on investment was higher than the cost expended with the overall estimate of impact 12 times return on investment. Academic partners found this interesting and sought means to further studies in detail, including measures and innovations using interesting tobacco control measures at the regional level which canl be used for policy decision making, to build awareness at the regional level, and to invest in interesting tobacco control activities.
In the meeting, academic partners from Phayao, Khon Kaen, Phitsanulok, Songkhla, and the Faculty of Medicine, Ubon Ratchathani University and Chulalongkorn University together signed a petition supporting the draft of the new Tobacco Product Control Act since the act will provide greater effectiveness of tobacco control for Thai society.
To request additional information, please contact:
Dr. Piya Hanvoravongchai Tel.: 02 252 7864 ext. 103 Haris Taweewatana Tel.: 0-2354-5346, 089 – 6627-917, Fax: 0-2354-5347 E-mail: haris@trc.or.th
