Issues Thailand

Tobacco harms the health, the treasury, and the spirit of Thailand. Every year, more than 81400 of its people are killed bytobacco-caused disease. Still, more than 50000 children (10-14 years old) and 10298000 adults (15+ years old) continueto use tobacco each day. Complacency in the face of the tobacco epidemic insulates the tobacco industry in Thailand andensures that tobacco's death toll will grow every year. Tobacco control advocates must reach out to other communitiesand resources to strengthen their efforts and create change.

Adult Smoking (15+ Y.O.)

% using tobacco daily: 2015

Male

35.8%Even though fewer men smoke onaverage in Thailand than on average inhigh-HDI countries, there are stillmore than 9784100 men who smokecigarettes each day, making it anongoing and dire public health threat.

Female

1.8%Even though fewer women smoke inThailand than on average in high-HDIcountries, there are still more than514600 women who smoke cigaretteseach day, making it an ongoing anddire public health threat.

Children Smoking (10-14 Y.O.)

% using tobacco daily: 2015

Boys

1.94%More boys smoke in Thailand than onaverage in high-HDI countries.

Girls

0.45%Even though fewer girls smoke in Thailandthan on average in high-HDI countries,there are still more than 9200 girls whosmoke cigarettes each day, making it signof an ongoing and dire public healththreat.

Deaths% caused by tobacco: 2016

Male

22.88%More men die in Thailand than onaverage in high-HDI countries.

Female

11.64%More women die in Thailand than onaverage in high-HDI countries.

Societal Harms

The economic cost of smoking in Thailand amounts to208199 million baht. This includes direct costs related tohealthcare expenditures and indirect costs related to lostproductivity due to early mortality and morbidity.

Smokeless Tobacco% using tobacco daily: 2013

3.3% More people use smokeless tobacco inThailand than on average in high-HDIcountries.

Industry

The combined revenues of the world's 6 largest tobaccocompanies in 2016 was more than USD 346 Billion, whichis equal to 89% of the Gross National Income of Thailand.The industry is a powerful force that does not fear theactions of smaller nation-states because of their extensiveresources and global market power. Larger economies andnations have the opportunity to help the smaller allies facedown this threat.

Growing

There were 79618metric tons of tobaccoproduced in Thailandin 2014. However,tobacco growing isonly a small fraction ofagriculture in Thailand,with only 0.11% ofagricultural landdevoted to tobaccocultivation.

Production

There were 36.14billion cigarettesproduced inThailand in 2016.Cigarette importsexceeded cigaretteexports in Thailandin 2016, which hurtthe country's tradebalance.

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Solutions Thailand

Current Policy in ThailandProtect from Smoke

All public places completely smoke-free isthe best practice

Smokefree

HealthCare Facilities Educational Facilities

Universities Government Facilities

Indoor Offices Restaurants

Pubs and Bars Public Transport

All Other Indoor PublicPlaces

Funds for SmokefreeEnforcement

Raise Taxes

WHO BenchmarkMinimum

70%of Retail Priceis Excise Tax

Thailand

59.87%of Retail Priceis Excise Tax

Offer HelpNational quit line and both NRT and cessation-services cost-covered is the best practice

Quitting Resources NRT and/or some cessation services (at least one of which is cost-covered)

National Quitline Yes

Warn About the Dangers to Tobacco Users on Product PackagingA plain, standardized pack with a large health warning is the best practice

Type of Warning Label Graphic

Percent of Pack Covered 85%

Plain Packaging Yes

Warn About the Dangers to the Whole Population in a Media Campaign

Ran a National Anti-Tobacco Campaign in 2014 or 2016 Yes

Appropriate Characteristics

Part Of A Comprehensive Tobacco Control Program Yes

Pre-Tested With The Target Audience No

Target Audience Research Was Conducted No

Aired On Television And/Or Radio Yes

Utilized Media Planning Yes

Earned Media/Public Relations Were Used To Promote The Campaign Yes

Process Evaluation Was Used To Assess Implementation Yes

Outcome Evaluation Was Used To Assess Effectiveness Yes

Enforce Bans on AdvertisingBan on all forms of direct and indirect advertising is the best practice

Number of DirectAd Bans

7/7possible bans

Number ofIndirect Ad Bans

5/10possible bans

Ad Ban Compliance Percent

Moderate

Direct bans

• National TV and radio• International TV and radio• Local magazines andnewspapers• International magazinesand newspapers• Billboard and outdooradvertising• Advertising at point of sale• Advertising on internet

Indirect bans

• Free distribution in mail or through other means• Promotional discounts• Non-tobacco products identified with tobacco brand names• Appearance in TV and/or films: tobacco brands (product placement)• Ban on the publicity of financial or other sponsorship or support bythe tobacco industry of events, activities, individuals

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