7-Eleven wins in cigarette row

BANGKOK: -- Council of states rules that advertising only illegal if intentional; Public Health vows to arrest and send cases to court

The Council of State Thursday sided with the 7-Eleven convenient store chain in the dispute between the Public Health Ministry and CP Seven Eleven Plc over the ban on cigarette displays at points of purchase.

Porntip Jala, secretary-general of the Office of Council of State, ruled that cigarette advertising was only illegal if it was intentional.

In a memorandum sent to the ministry’s Disease Control Department, which also oversees tobacco control, the council said illegal advertising tactics included piling up same-brand cigarette packets to attract consumers or intentionally displaying cigarettes so that they can be easily viewed by shoppers.

However, the memorandum stated that the Council of State would recommend an amendment to the law prohibiting all forms of cigarette displays if the government intends to completely ban cigarette displays in the future.

The ministry’s ban on cigarette displays at points of purchase came into effect on September 24. The ministry insisted that the ban was constituted by the 1992 Tobacco Product Control Act.

The Thailand Tobacco Monopoly asked the Council of State to interpret the law and decide whether or not cigarette displays at points of purchase could be deemed as advertising, which is illegal under Thai law.

The Public Health Ministry vowed to take tough action against the chain store when CP Seven Eleven resolved to ignore the ban.

Dr Narong Sahamethaphat, deputy director-general of the Disease Control Department, said the ministry intended to file complaints with police seeking the arrest of 7-Eleven operators who violated the ban.

Dr Hatai Chitanondh, chairman of the Thai Health Promotion Institute and a member of the ministry’s tobacco control committee, shrugged off the Council of State’s interpretation of the law.

“Let the court rule - the Council of State is not the court,” he said.

Before the Council of State’s interpretation of the displays, Crime Suppression Division officials refused to take any action against CP Seven Eleven operatives when they continued to display cigarette packets.

“As the Council of State ruled, they need to make changes to the law if they want to ban cigarette displays,” said Suwit Kingkaew, vice-president of CP Seven Eleven.

He said 7-Eleven stores would continue its policy of displaying only 50 cigarette packets instead of 77, as it did before the ban was implemented. However, cigarette shelves will not be moved from their position behind the main counter because that is the most convenient place for employees to reach the packets.

--The Nation 2005-11-03

I remember some protestations,on ThaiVisa, in august on this subject, after 7/11 refused to "comply".

So, now everything is clear : if the administration want the display ban, they have to change the law. CQFD.

And of course, it would be much more difficult, with a proper debate... But that's another story.

Personnaly, I congratulate 7/11. They had the courage to stand against the "thai CEO style" of some fanatics in the administration, that believe they can govern the people like if they were a bunch of slave or children.

Bravo !

should stop selling mobile phones and lottery tickets to the children instead, they are worse than the cigaretts.

DISEASE CONTROL DEPARTMENT WARNS ALL CONVENIENT STORES TO STOP DISPLAYING TOBACCO PRODUCTS AT POINTS OF SALE

Dr. NARONG SAHAMETAPATTANA (ณรงค์ สหเมธาพัฒน์), the Deputy Director-General of the Public Health Ministry's Disease Control Department, has commented on the Council of State’s consideration in penalizing the convenient store operators who display tobacco products on their shelves or seek illegitimate trade advantages. He said those who fail to comply with the laws will be prosecuted, and each store will face a maximum fine of 200,000 baht.

Dr. NARONG also said that the Disease Control Department has asked for cooperation from the provincial public health offices to start compiling information from all convenient stores in their respective areas, starting from November 1st to 15th. If any store still violates the law, the evidence would be immediately forwarded to the provincial police officers.

He added that this matter will be proposed to Public Health Minister PINIJ JARUSOMBAT (พินิจ จารุสมบัติ) tomorrow (November 4th).

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 04 November 2005

What about the Saeng Som - it's always facing me as I buy my fags.

No doubt to me which is worse.

surely you can't think alchohol is worse than cigerattes?!?!?!

(or is it just the sam song stuff?)

So, now everything is clear : if the administration want the display ban, they have to change the law. CQFD.

I love acronyms!

I had to look that one up and I give the details here for those who may be interested:

CQFD = QED

CQFD: Ce qu'il fallait démontrer (French)

QED: Quod erat demonstrandum (Latin: which was to demonstrated)

Now that we know it in French, what is it in Russian, Greek and Thai?

The hidding of the cigs was stupid. With the new rotten teeth pics etc on the packs, they

should scare the young more than hiding them. Good job 7/11

should stop selling mobile phones and lottery tickets to the children instead, they are worse than the cigaretts.

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Prat

surely you can't think alchohol is worse than cigerattes?!?!?!

(or is it just the sam song stuff?)

Surely I can, and from experience I know.

The hidding of the cigs was stupid.  With the new rotten teeth pics etc on the packs, they

should scare the young more than hiding them.  Good job 7/11

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The guys responsible for these ugly pics should be charged with misinforming the public and using their position in gov to impose their one-sided views on shoppers.