Thailand sharpens tobacco law

Thailand’s National Legislative Assembly (NLA) today passed the final reading of the Tobacco Control Bill, reports The Bangkok Post.

The new law prohibits the sale or provision of tobacco products to people aged under 20, instead of under 18 as previously. Violators are liable to a prison term of up to three months and/or a fine of up to thb30,000 ($855).

It also bans the production and sales-oriented importation of packs containing fewer than 20 cigarettes. Violators can be fined up to thb300,000.

The assembly unanimously endorsed the bill, which amends the Tobacco Control Act, with 202 votes.

The NLA’s scrutiny committee deleted a clause in the bill that banned smokers from being appointed an expert member of the national tobacco control committee, to avoid discrimination.

Jate Sirataranont, NLA member and head of the scrutiny committee, said the new law is expected to reduce the number of new smokers by 200,000 a year.