According to a report from The Bangkok Post on August 27th, the Thailand Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) Foundation has called on the incoming government to continue implementing the e-cigarette ban while also reducing the tax-free allowance for imported cigarettes.
Prakit Vathesatogkit, the Executive Secretary of the foundation, has stated that they have submitted an open letter to the incoming government, urging government officials to consider implementing 12 recommendations regarding cigarette and tobacco control.
The foundation proposes that the government approve an agreement to combat the illegal trade of tobacco products, in order to reduce the annual tax revenue loss of 10 billion Thai baht (approximately 2.1 billion Chinese yuan) caused by illicit tobacco trade.
The foundation has also proposed adjusting the tax ratio for cigarettes and tobacco from a dual tax rate to a single tax rate, while also raising the tax rate for hand-rolled cigarettes. Currently, the tax rate for hand-rolled cigarettes is approximately 10-12 Thai baht per pack, while the tax rate for regular cigarettes is significantly cheaper, at six to seven times lower.
Furthermore, the foundation urges the government to prohibit the use of cigarettes and e-cigarettes in public spaces in order to safeguard public health.
Prakash stated that the government should allocate additional human resources and funding to public health and tobacco control agencies in order to ensure proper enforcement of relevant regulations.
He suggests that the government reconsider its current policy on the quantity of cigarettes allowed for import, reducing the current limit of 10 packs per person to just 1 pack. He argues that reducing the number of cigarette packs brought into the country would help the nation generate more tax revenue.
The government should continue to implement the ban on e-cigarettes, which is of utmost importance.
Despite Thailand having implemented tobacco control for over thirty years, the administrative departments still need to recognize that control requires cooperation from all parties, rather than solely relying on the responsibility of the Ministry of Public Health. He urged the government to fully consider these suggestions in order to protect public health and implement effective tobacco control measures.
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