Thai Muslim smokers to reduce by 10%

BANGKOK, Jan 23 (TNA) - The Public Health Ministry has cooperated with the Thai Health Promotion Foundation (ThaiHealth) to improve the quality of life of Thai Muslims by reducing the rate of their smokers by 10 per cent within three years, starting from 2015. Public Health Minister Prof. Dr. Piyasakol Sakolsatayadorn on Saturday presided over the 6th Thai Muslims Food and Culture fair , which was organised by the Thai Muslim Foundation and sponsored by ThaiHealth. Dr. Supreeda Adulyanon, acting manager of ThaiHealth, said his agency has been continuously promoting good health among the over 3.4 million Thai Muslims throughout Thailand. So far, about 570 mosques or 15 per cent of the total mosques in Thailand have participated in the programme, which would in turn help to encourage around 22.9 per cent of Thai Muslims to quit smoking. The ThaiHealth has targeted that within 3 years' time, from 2015-2018, at least 10 per cent of Thai Muslims, especially those living in deep south would quit smoking completely. (TNA)