Tobacco, Alcohol Consumption In Thailand Rising In Tandem With High Technology

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Tobacco, alcohol consumption rising in parallel with high technology

BANGKOK, 31 May 2011 (NNT) – The National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB) found that more Thai people are getting sick while cigarette and alcohol consumption is rising together with technological advancement.

According to NESDB Secretary-General Akom Termpittayapaisit, advertisements of cigarettes and alcoholic drinks can reach people easier via social media channels such as facebook and twitter. Teenagers who are majority of social network users are inevitably victims of the advertisements.

Tobacco consumption in Thai households in the first quarter this year was 5.408 billion baht worth, up 1.6% from the figure in the same period last year of 5.322 billion baht. Alcohol consumption was 37.129 billion baht worth, down 1.1% from the figure in the same period last year of 37.536 billion baht.

Although the situation is relatively stable, consumption tends to rise among teenagers and working people while the ASEAN Free Trade Agreement, which cuts tobacco and cigarette import tax from 5% to 0%, will lead to more competition among companies and rising consumption encouragement.

Based on the situation, it is hence expected that Thai people will suffer more from chronic diseases this year, especially hypertension, heart disease, diabetes and cancer.

This group of people, accounting for 5% of employees under the social security system, is projected to cause 25% of treatment expenses. If the number of patients increases from 5% to 10-15% in the next five to ten years, the social security fund will experience a deficit in each year of its operation.

The Ministry of Public Health estimated that there will be 12.5 million people getting ill this year. Of this number, 78,000 will die, with half of them dying from chronic diseases such as heart disease, coronary disease and diabetes.

-- NNT 2011-05-31

[Pib]

So what was the reason for alcohol and tobacco consumption continuing to rise before high technology/social media existed? It's pretty easy to blame something on something, even if you have no proof. Does social media have an impact? Sure, it probably does IMHO, both positive and negative (but I ain't got no proof)..

This news article must have been written to fill the reporter's daily quota because it really don't say anything IMHO.

[richard10365]

Could a rising population be another reason for more people drinking and smoking?

[OZEMADE]

Boy I can't wait until they get legal Casino's in Thailand, then see how much smoking and drinking increases, let alone gambling. And the LEGAL Casino's will eventually come.

[Pib]

Boy I can't wait until they get legal Casino's in Thailand, then see how much smoking and drinking increases, let alone gambling. And the LEGAL Casino's will eventually come.

No, I expect legal gambling won't cause an increase in smoking/drinking as it will just reduce the number of drinking/smoking gamblers at illegal locations (a.k.a., the underground gambling which is so very, very common in Thailand). A zero sum gain/loss.

[KhunSteven]

Surely time to criminalise tobacco and alcohol consumption in Thailand. The country cannot afford the number of people dying from the abuse of these substances. :jap:

[dumpling]

its news stories like this that drive me to drink

[tesco1]

Surely time to criminalise tobacco and alcohol consumption in Thailand. The country cannot afford the number of people dying from the abuse of these substances. :jap:

well if this info is right you have a very good point

Smokers violating the ban and proprietors who do not put up warning signs could face a fine of up to 2,000 baht. Those who do not provide smoking areas as required by the public health announcement could face a fine of up to 20,000 baht and

Public Health Ministry figures show tobacco kills 1.2 million people in Asia and 5.4 millions worldwide every year -