Duty-free Shops To Face Ban

[george]

Duty-free shops to face ban

BANGKOK: -- Duty-free shops nationwide will be ordered to remove cigarette packets from shelves after the cigarette display control panel ruled that their display violates the 1992 Tobacco Control Act. After the giant convenience store operator CP 7-Eleven was forced to take cigarette products off their shelves last year, duty-free shops have become the prime target of the ministry's crackdown on tobacco advertising.

Saman Phutrakul, chief of the Department of Disease Control's tobacco and alcohol control unit, said the way duty-free shops displayed tobacco cartons was considered advertising, which was against the ministry's regulation banning cigarette displays in shops.

The Council of State also ruled that dsiplaying tobacco products at retail shops was considered a form of advertising.

Under the regulation, which took effect in September, all forms of tobacco advertising are prohibited. Violators face a maximum fine of 200,000 baht.

''We affirm our stance that public places must be free of tobacco displays. Duty-free shops are no exception,'' he said.

The ban would be enforced as soon as it was approved by the national committee on tobacco control, chaired by the public health minister, said Mr Saman.

The Justice Ministry, meanwhile, has called on hardware stores across the country not to sell solvents to children under the age of 17.

The ministry said the number of children addicted to solvents, such as thinner, had increased sharply.

--Bangkok Post 2006-02-17

[sierra01]

Duty free shops in airports not allowed to display tobacco products?

[Plus]

Haven't they got better things to do? Do they enforce 2pm - 5pm and after midnight ban on selling alcohol there as well?

I thought there WAS a limit to their idiocy.

[PREM-R]

Duty free shops in airports not allowed to display tobacco products?

Plus wrote:

I thought there WAS a limit to their idiocy.

No Limit TiT

[astral]

No cigarette allowance in Singapore.

Why not Thailand?

Smoking is a pernicious habit.

Edited February 17, 2006 by astral

[markuk]

No cigarette allowance in Singapore.

Why not Thailand?

Smoking is a pernicious habit.

who cares - the quicker they ban smoking the better...

[udon]

The words shoot and foot come to mind again.

[astral]

I am not sure I agree Udon.

The recent statistics from Europe show just how dangerous it is to smoke.

The UK has just enacted a total ban in all enclosed places.

What is the situation in your country?

[Chang_paarp]

In Udon's country the regulations are on a state by state basis.

In my part of the country, Western Australia, the ban was effected by OH&S regulations banning smoking in the workplace. Effectively all enclosed areas are workplaces, so ban on smoking in all enclosed areas. The pubs and the casino have some exemption, but these are going.

The casino is negotiating to have an exemption for its high roller room to apease "Asian Gamblers" this is still being negotiated. When the govenment crumbles the union will start, yet to see the final outcome.

Now days the die hard smokers are the ones huddled on the footpath enjoying the comraderie of the cigarette. Some employers pay non smoker more money to reward the better productivity.

[The Dan Sai Kid]

With all due respect to smokers, I believe that banning smoking in enclosed areas does help some people quit.

When Thailand outlawed smoking in air-conditioned restaurants in 2002 I quickly became fed up with the trek outside - on my own - and I soon quit after that, and have never been tempted to start again since. Now, I know that different people respond to things in different ways I have to say that I look back now and am glad they did this.

[Ricardo]

Does a Thai national regulation extend to international territory - airside, at the airport ?

I know, I know, TiT

[grahamb]

Do they enforce 2pm - 5pm and after midnight ban on selling alcohol there as well?

At least one of the cafes at the airport does - I saw a sign stating that you could not buy alcohol before 11 am, between 2pm and 5pm and after midnight

[penzman]

DUTY FREE?

I'm still wondering how much that 60 baht can of Pepsi was really worth.

[thaigene2]

Good. Glad to hear someone has the guts to give King Power a kick up the backside. The earlier post about alcohol sales is interesting too..anyone know the answer? Are they allowed to ignore the ban on alcohol sales in the morning and afternoon. I'll bet they are.

I was recently at Don Muang and asked one of the lovely young King Power ladies if King Power had once again miraculously managed to get the SOLE RIGHTS to Duty Free at Suvarnabumri (or however it's spelled..) and the answer to no surprise was 'only King Power na ka..'

Duty Free is a rip-off everywhere..and seasoned travelers know this. But there's nothing at all 'free' about Duty Free in Thailand I'm afraid..everytime you buy something from this guy's chain you'll also be lining the pockets of the people who allow this company to keep its monopoly.

They even tried to charge me 80 baht for a packet of gum once (normally 5 baht in stores) and 200 baht for a 12 baht strip of Tylenol!

To beat corruption, you need to start from the bottom up..I refuse to buy anything from this guy.

[Axel]

No cigarette allowance in Singapore.

Why not Thailand?

Smoking is a pernicious habit.

Singapore is a bit selfish. Departing you can buy duty free cigarettes as many as you want, since you are leaving but leave the profit there.

[chuchok]

Does a Thai national regulation extend to international territory - airside, at the airport ?

I know, I know, TiT

Good question.In theory, if you have not passed customs (Inbound) then you have not entered the commerce of the country.

[Axel]

It is Thai territory so Thai law does apply.

Of course than the country can make rules and laws to govern such 'Duty Free Shops'.