Evaluation of the Thai tobacco control policy

Abstract

Tobacco control has become an important health policy for the Government of Thailand. Among the policies introduced in Thailand in the past three years are increased taxes on tobacco, graphic pictorial labelling on cigarette packets and bans on the advertising of cigarettes. However, there is little international evidence to suggest that these policies are effective. For this reason, Thailand has joined an international project that collects longitudinal data to evaluate tobacco-control policies. This study presents a comparison of data from the first two rounds of the project in Thailand. Although there are several promising signs of success in the attempts by the Government of Thailand to reduce the use of tobacco, this study also indicates some concerns. The proportion of persons smoking hand-rolled cigarettes has increased. The article suggests that this is probably a result of tax increases on manufactured cigarettes. Most of the sample agreed with the prohibitions on smoking in hospitals, offices, restaurants and other public places. The placing of graphic warning labels on cigarette packets has met with success. Knowledge of the health impacts of smoking increased and most smokers reported that the graphic warning labels were most effective in making them think about the health dangers of smoking.