The Government Encouraged in Tobacco Control Actions for Public Health
The Government Encouraged in Tobacco Control Actions for Public Health Press Release : Tobacco Control Research and Knowledge Management Center (TRC) Date : 3 October 2014 Release date : For Immediate Release The Government Encouraged in Tobacco Control Actions for Public Health
On 17 September 2014 at Government House, the Thai Health Professional Alliance against Tobacco and Thai representatives from many health professions gave flower bouquets to the Thai Prime Minister and the Minister of Public Health to thank them as they stand and fight international tobacco companies on Thai pack warning size, an important public health measure. This fight is about implementing 85% health warnings on cigarette packs to warn the public of the dangers of cigarettes.
Dr. Wonchat Subhachaturas, President elect of the Medical Association of Thailand and Director of the Thai Health Professional Alliance Against Tobacco, said that, The thing done by Mr. Pradith (the Minister of Public Health) was right, when Mr. Pradith appealed to the Supreme Administrative Court in order to request the Supreme Administrative Court to lift the stay of enforcement from the Notification of the Ministry of Public Health to enlarge health warnings on cigarette packs from 55% to 85%. The most important thing is to thank Miss Yingluck Shinawatra, the Prime Minister, in her support of the Ministry of Public Health to stand and fight to protect the public health of the Thai people. Cigarettes are hazardous products that harm the public health and that create various impacts, loses to health, the economy and to society as a whole. For this reason, cigarettes should not be treated as other products. It is important that we not let international tobacco companies have influence over Thai legislation because any commercial trade in Thailand should be controlled by Thai legislation. The tobacco companies actions challenge and violate the sovereignty of Thailand. If we let this imposition occur, the Thai government would incur tremendous costs for treatment of illness and deaths caused by cigarette smoking. This would be a lasting burden requiring growing costs to the Public Health system of Thailand.
Thai youth representatives from Intharam school and Watpatoonaisongtham school thanked Mr. Pradith for issuing the pack warning Notification because it is also an important policy to prevent adolescents from using cigarettes.
Request more information, please contact:
Dr. Wonchat Subhachaturas, 081-925-8678
