Call for higher tax, tougher law on smoking

[neverdie]

The usual old stuff from both sides. The health nazis wanting to fix everyone's life for them. The smokers who want to continue their habit (moi). People who complain about having to smell cigarette smoke probably live in alpine meadows with the perfume of wildflowers in the air. Diesel and other fumes don't seem to worry them, just fag smoke. Life can be tough.

Like a naughty little school child. "Look over there, he's doing something wrong". The same old diesel fumes trick. News flash, this is about taxing smokers.....most places already have high fuel taxes

Of course we could all stop using diesel, but how you going to get your food, your iPads and medical supplies. Big difference between the two, it's obvious, wouldn't you agree?

[Ace of Pop]

Wish they would ban Roll on Deodorant Folks from Public Places. Jeez a Baccy smell is pleasant by comparison.

[Don Aleman]

Acoholic beverages kill way more than cigarettes let's ban them too.

Great idea as it will provide more money to buy wheelchairs and crutches plus add elevators and handholds, kneeling busses for the ones costing the most health care monies - the fatties, oops, I meant the morbidly obese !

[Mango Bob]

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Good, people who smoke just don't understand smoIking kills them and others. Quit now before it's too late. I don't want to sma ell your damn smoke.

people who smoke dont understand it kills them... alt=w00t.gif> no of course they dont...you moan about anything what a grim existence..but alcahol...is fine yes..or you hate the smell of that too..please tell me your single khun bob..

If you had any brains you know that having a drink is not going to affect the person next to you. I drink only socially, maybe a drink or two every month. I'm not like you fools who go out night after night and make a complete ass out of yourself.

[bigbamboo]

Good, people who smoke just don't understand smoking kills them and others. Quit now before it's too late. I don't want to smell your damn smoke.

I think most people DO realise the danger of smoking to their health, far more so than drinking alcohol or eating junk food but they balance it against the pleasure they get from it. What is more important is to educate children of the dangers before they get hooked.

As for not wanting to smell other people's smoke I agree but it is already banned in public places practically everywhere. However if a bar or restaurant wants to allow smoking they should be free to do so as long as it's clearly advertised as such. If you don't like it then stay away.

That's freedom of choice. Who can argue with that?

[kuiburi]

Kuiburi,Thank you for being a considerate smoker.Enjoy your sigar!

Thx mate , hope u can enjoy many smokeless meals anywhere u like to eat .

[Mr Tom]

Maybe these guys can help me tighten the laws on eating processed seafood. I don't think people know how bad it is for them and I don't like the smell of it.

[spidermike007]

Call for higher tax, tougher law on smoking

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Health experts also push for the use of e-cigarettes to be controlled

Health experts have pressed for tougher laws to reduce the number of smokers, noting out that even "e-cigarettes" are harmful to health.

Thailand today marks World No Tobacco Day - while up to 12 million Thais remain smokers.

Smoking is blamed for extensive health problems including strokes, paralysis, heart failure and cancer.

Dr Prakit Vathesatogkit, executive secretary of the Action on Smoking and Health Foundation Thailand, yesterday recommended a higher tax on cigarettes because raising the price is an effective way to curb smoking.

Disease Control Department deputy director general Nopporn Chuenklin highlighted the need to control "electronic" cigarettes. As these are relatively new products, the Tobacco Control Act doesn't fully cover them, he said.

"This act was passed more than 20 years ago," Nopporn explained, adding that the department had prepared a new version of the act and would ask the National Council for Peace and Order to approve it.

"In this new version, the definition of cigarettes will also cover 'electronic' cigarettes," he said.

Dr Suthat Rungruanghiranya, a specialist in respiratory and critical care medicine at Srinakharinwirot University, said when compared with a common cigarette, an "electronic" or e-cigarette usually contained much higher nicotine.

"When you smoke one 'electronic' cigarette, you take in an amount of nicotine similar to that from six common cigarettes," he said.

Nicotine is an addictive agent that harms blood vessels. Diabetics who smoke have a greater risk of developing chronic wounds and amputation, while male smokers risks impotentence.

"An excessive intake of nicotine causes death," the specialist warned.

'Electronic' smokes carcinogenic

He said because e-cigarettes were rather new, it took time for researchers to determine their real effects.

"But by now, it is becoming clear that 'electronic' cigarettes are not good for people's health," Suthat said.

The American Cancer Society had reported that cells exposed to smoke from e-cigarettes turned carcinogenic.

"This means any claim that 'electronic' cigarettes will save smokers from cancers is untrue," he said.

Suthat also dismissed claims that e-cigarettes would ease the addiction.

"These claims are also false because 'electronic' cigarettes contain nicotine," he said.

Prakit said to lower the number of smokers, laws must get tougher and anti-smoking campaigns must continue.

-- The Nation 2014-05-31

Imagine the no smoking law being enforced in a place like Samui? Zero enforcement by the so called authorities or the establishments. But we might lose a few customers. What, a nonsmoking area? No problem, you can smoke anywhere. What a crock of horse****. For non smokers, this is the wrong place to be. Just a lot of out of control smokers with little self respect.

[bigbamboo]

cigarrettes and alchol should be completely prohibited like any other drug.

Ever thought of working in PR for the Mafia?

[Mr Tom]

Wish they would ban Roll on Deodorant Folks from Public Places. Jeez a Baccy smell is pleasant by comparison.

Totally agree with you here. I'd much rather smell some smoke than be stuck on another 8 hour plane ride next to some dude with BO. Even worse these old women that wear strong fragrances.

[jcisco]

"The American Cancer Society had reported that cells exposed to smoke from e-cigarettes turned carcinogenic."

errr. I do not believe that E-Cigarettes generate smoke and would assume that the outcome of reducing nicotine would be as toxic if not more so than nicotine. So what are they actually talking about, vapour or actual smoke from a reaction.

Any ideas?

And that statement is just so loaded, for the record I do not support smoking, but I do dislike inaccurate reporting of scientific matter.

[fabphil]

I just wish they would enforce the NO smoking rules inside go go:s...pisses me off to sit there why these cretins spread smoke all over the place,bad enough drinking the crap watered down draught beer, ruins what could potentionally be a fruitfull night.....anyway i dont sit in these smoke rooms anymore...outside only the way to go..

[Thai at Heart]

I believe that e cigarettes are obviously healthier than cigarettes.

Problem is, are they 100% safe? Likely not, but still safer than cigarettes by a magnitude of 1000s

[hawker9000]

Good, people who smoke just don't understand smoking kills them and others. Quit now before it's too late. I don't want to smell your damn smoke.

People who endlessly whine and interfere in other peoples life's should get one of their own.

I do not want to hear your whining, mind your own business

And people who endlessly whine about their "right to smoke", no matter the health hazard to themselves (which, in your case doesn't actually bother me a bit), and others, are in total denial and don't really have a life and should get real.

I do not want to hear your whining. Enjoy the ever-expanding restrictions and the higher taxes; since you can't handle your own business, we're going to sit back and watch government mind it for you.

[Ragzilb]

Cigaretes are a problems for the individuel, as the world smokers has been reduced to almost nothing cancer is still going up exponenciel, Sickness and cancer is still getting worse.

Ex in 2003 EU made a test where they looked at people with lung cancer about 10.000...about 2% where smokers.

dont get me wrong I want smoking down or gone, but the problem is Soil Erosion with soil erosion you get a 70% more airbourne viruses and bad bacterias. I could go on and on

[vogie]

Good, people who smoke just don't understand smoking kills them and others. Quit now before it's too late. I don't want to smell your damn smoke.

people who smoke dont understand it kills them... no of course they dont...you moan about anything what a grim existence..but alcahol...is fine yes..or you hate the smell of that too..please tell me your single khun bob..

Mango Bob you are on a hiding for nothing from smokers, they are in total denial to the damage it causes them and others too. A case of bury my head in the sand and it won't happen to me!

[dundee48]

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Cigaretes are a problems for the individuel, as the world smokers has been reduced to almost nothing cancer is still going up exponenciel, Sickness and cancer is still getting worse.

Ex in 2003 EU made a test where they looked at people with lung cancer about 10.000...about 2% where smokers.

dont get me wrong I want smoking down or gone, but the problem is Soil Erosion with soil erosion you get a 70% more airbourne viruses and bad bacterias. I could go on and on

You did go on and on.

[hawker9000]

Lol. Smoking has got to be one of the most rationalized behaviors on the planet, but...

"Soil Erosion"!? Seriously??

[Thai at Heart]

The vast majority of smokers understand it is unhealthy for them.

Most find a way to rationalise it. I did.

As for the proof about 2nd hand smoke. Hmmmm. Very dubious and I would say walking in Bangkok is far more dangerous.

[Pralaad]

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Good, people who smoke just don't understand smoIking kills them and others. Quit now before it's too late. I don't want to sma ell your damn smoke.

people who smoke dont understand it kills them... alt=w00t.gif> no of course they dont...you moan about anything what a grim existence..but alcahol...is fine yes..or you hate the smell of that too..please tell me your single khun bob..

If you had any brains you know that having a drink is not going to affect the person next to you. I drink only socially, maybe a drink or two every month. I'm not like you fools who go out night after night and make a complete ass out of yourself.

So you make a complete ass out of yourself only socially ??

[hawker9000]

Yeah, the smokers can afford to be "dubious" about it, can't they now? We should definitely leave it up to self-confessed addicts with a proven self-destructive habit to decide. Yeah, that's the ticket. Who could argue with logic like that?

[Pralaad]

Good, people who smoke just don't understand smoking kills them and others. Quit now before it's too late. I don't want to smell your damn smoke.

People who endlessly whine and interfere in other peoples life's should get one of their own.

I do not want to hear your whining, mind your own business

And people who endlessly whine about their "right to smoke", no matter the health hazard to themselves (which, in your case doesn't actually bother me a bit), and others, are in total denial and don't really have a life and should get real.

I do not want to hear your whining. Enjoy the ever-expanding restrictions and the higher taxes; since you can't handle your own business, we're going to sit back and watch government mind it for you.

Nice load of drivel , the only difference is smokers are not the ones whining.

I can afford to smoke and can afford higher prices, unlike you who whines about every single baht.

[swissie]

21 Dollar per pack in Australia ???

The international cigarette smugglers mafia must have fallen asleep. Instead of smuggling cigarettes from eastern-europe to western-europe why not smuggle from Thailand to Australia? The profit margin would be far higher !!!

Business opportunity for australian english teachers in Thailand?

Cheers.

[hawker9000]

Good, people who smoke just don't understand smoking kills them and others. Quit now before it's too late. I don't want to smell your damn smoke.

People who endlessly whine and interfere in other peoples life's should get one of their own.

I do not want to hear your whining, mind your own business

And people who endlessly whine about their "right to smoke", no matter the health hazard to themselves (which, in your case doesn't actually bother me a bit), and others, are in total denial and don't really have a life and should get real.

I do not want to hear your whining. Enjoy the ever-expanding restrictions and the higher taxes; since you can't handle your own business, we're going to sit back and watch government mind it for you.

Nice load of drivel , the only difference is smokers are not the ones whining.

I can afford to smoke and can afford higher prices, unlike you who whines about every single baht.

Duh. Could that be because it's the non-smokers who have to tolerate the stink and filth of the smokers' smoke on their clothes, in their hair, on their skin, and most of all in their lungs?? I mean, ya' think? Glad you're happy with the pricing tho', and I'm going to add to your enjoyment by supporting every new tobacco tax and tax-hike, and every new restriction and prohibition on smokers that lurches down the road. No need to thank me though - I consider it a public service.

[Ulysses G.]

I think most people DO realise the danger of smoking to their health, far more so than drinking alcohol or eating junk food but they balance it against the pleasure they get from it.

Most of their "pleasure" comes from becoming addicted to something that is not very "pleasurable" and then feeding the addiction. At least heroin gets you high. Smoking makes you stink and ruins your health with very little in return.

[neverdie]

Wish they would ban Roll on Deodorant Folks from Public Places. Jeez a Baccy smell is pleasant by comparison.

could of picked you as one of the type to go the all natural. B.O style.

puke.

[hhinhh]

a higher tax on cigarettes because raising the price is an effective way to curb smoking.

Rubbish, people will still smoke as it is an addictive drug. A pack of cigarettes costs around $25 - $30 in Australia and they keep putting the tax up thinking people will stop smoking. Governments want people to smoke or they would criminalise it but it is a huge revenue raiser for them. Heroin is almost cheaper in Australia than cigarettes.

No rubbish! There is a high correlation between the price for cigaretts and the number of smokers. In Germany and other European country it has been proved. E.g. in Germany the number of male smokers went down by 15% during the last two decades during which the tax was increase significantly in several steps (The number of female smokes stayed constant but below the male rate).

[hawker9000]

a higher tax on cigarettes because raising the price is an effective way to curb smoking.

Rubbish, people will still smoke as it is an addictive drug. A pack of cigarettes costs around $25 - $30 in Australia and they keep putting the tax up thinking people will stop smoking. Governments want people to smoke or they would criminalise it but it is a huge revenue raiser for them. Heroin is almost cheaper in Australia than cigarettes.

No rubbish! There is a high correlation between the price for cigaretts and the number of smokers. In Germany and other European country it has been proved. E.g. in Germany the number of male smokers went down by 15% during the last two decades during which the tax was increase significantly in several steps (The number of female smokes stayed constant but below the male rate).

Happily, some certainly DO quit (and deserve credit for doing so!).

Another hilarious rationalization attempt. "We shouldn't raise taxes on tobacco because it won't disincentivize smoking because smoking is an addiction!" Precious. (Oh, and the "govts want people to smoke" bit was great, too )

Edited May 31, 2014 by hawker9000

[Thai at Heart]

Yeah, the smokers can afford to be "dubious" about it, can't they now? We should definitely leave it up to self-confessed addicts with a proven self-destructive habit to decide. Yeah, that's the ticket. Who could argue with logic like that?

Read the studies. 2nd hand smoke is barely proven anywhere.

[spidermike007]

Tougher laws on smoking would be great. Smokers have options. It is the non smokers who are tortured by those without discipline. But, the real question is will there be enforcement? Laws without enforcement is something we have grown quote accustomed to.

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