Public Health to ban smoking in pubs and bars

[Norseman]

From "The Nation"

Published on Jan 26 , 2006

The Public Health Ministry is going all out in its effort to stop smoking among Thais with its comprehensive plans ranging from the ban on small packets of cigarettes to declaring pubs and bars smoking free.

In the future, non-smokers may also be able to seek compensation from cigarette companies if they fell ill because of smoking-filled environment.

"We have prepared both short-term and long-term measures to curb smoking," Public Health Minister Pinij Charusombat said Thursday.

For the short-term measures, Pinij said his ministry was going to ban the small packets of cigarettes or retailing it singles - not the whole pack - before the end of this year.

"We are urgently pushing for the legal amendment," he said.

He believed the measure should be able to reduce the number of smokers among women and youths because the small packets usually offered attractively slim-shaped cigarettes with special favours like strawberry and chocolate.

He added that his ministry was going to change the pictorial warning and warning messages on cigarette packets within the next one or two years.

"The change is necessary because studies have showed that people would get accustomed to the familiar warnings after some time and they might just ignore the warnings," Pinij said.

Aside, he said his ministry also planned to require cigarette packets to show their toxic ingredient.

By 2008, Pinij said his ministry would declare all pubs, bars and entertainment venues to become smoking free. "We will push for necessary legislation," he said.

On the long-term measure, he said his ministry would open a legal channel for smoking victims to sue to cigarette companies for their health damages.

[Hails]

In NZ there is no smoking in bars/clubs/workplaces. It just came in last year and it seemed like it was going to be an absolute pain in the a*s, but it hasn't, its great. No more going home smelling like a chimney. You smoke less. Many people have given up. No risking getting burnt by drunks on the dance floor. And the bars haven't suffered. Some have built great garden areas. But in general people just smoke less so no harms been done.

Also small packets of cigs aren't sold here, a packet of cigs cost NZ$10+(266B). This makes them less accessable to kids.

It's also legal to be a prostitute in NZ. I often wonder what policies other countries have on this...

[lomuamart]

Nothing new.
A year ago smoking was outlawed in Lumphini and Mo Chit parks.
Ten years ago, you couldn't drop a cigarette but anywhere in Bangkok.
Does anyone know of someone who's been fined for this?

[tuktukmike]

ME,

I travelled to BKK on the bus to see my shipping agents about 3 years ago.

Had a real bad day and decided to catch the train back to Hua Hin from central station.

When i got to the station i had run out of fags so went across road and bought some.

Lit up outside station and puffed away happily, when i finished i dropped the dog end down a drain and walked into the station entrance.

I then got a tap on the shoulder from a man in brown, come with me he said.

I had no idea i had done anything wrong, they sat me down at a table outside and the outcome was a 300baht fine for dropping my cigarette.

Welcome to LOS,

Mike.

[kaokalok]

had a similar story like mike last year.
Dropped a cigaret on the street before heading to bts station.Was also arrested by a MIB but the fine was 2000 baht.
Telling him that I dont need a receipt ,could manage to cut the fine to 200 baht.