Advertising Ban To Reduce Number Of New Smokers

Cigarette display, advertising ban to reduce number of new smokers

KHON KAEN: -- Disease Control Department Deputy Director General Dr. Narong Sahamethapat assured an audience here Tuesday that a government plan to prohibit display of cigarettes in stores can practically reduce the number of new smokers each year.

The ban is designed to protect the health of the public, the doctor said, especially youths and others who are attracted to smoking.

Dr. Narong said an estimate of 10 million people Thais are cigarette smokers, while perhaps 100,000 others become smokers every year.

Adolescents have become a prime target for local and foreign cigarette manufacturers, he said.

The government's bans on prohibiting cigarette sales display and tobacco ads at selling points will take effect on 24 September.

A survey conducted abroad recently showed the number of smokers dropped as much as 60 per cent as a result of such bans.

--TNA 2005-08-10