New tobacco law put in effect today

BANGKOK, July 4 (TNA) – The toughened tobacco law is put into effect today with an aim to cut the number of young smokers. Under the 2017 Tobacco Control Act, the minimum legal age of cigarette buyers is raised to 20 years old and persons aged below 18 years old are not allowed to sell cigarettes. A fine imposed on smoking in smoke-free areas is increased to 5,000 baht from 2,000 baht. If there is violation in smoke-free areas, those who supervise the place are also subject to a fine of 3,000 baht. The sale of tobacco is prohibited in religious places, education institutes, public parks and zoos. Violators face a fine of 40,000 baht. Cigarette advertisements in all forms are banned including sales promotion and indirect advertisements through corporate social responsibility activities. Currently, about 50,000 Thai people die of smoking-induced illnesses every year and there are about 1.5 million patients suffering from smoking related diseases. (TNA)