Thailand's new cigarette warnings more macabre and bizarre than ever
By Coconuts Bangkok

BANGKOK: -- New cigarette warning labels have hit Thailand’s stores, and they've really outdone themselves this time.

The people who brought us exquisitely graphic images of rotting organs, dead bodies and the legendary long-haired man blowing smoke into baby’s face are back with bigger, badder labels.

The Supreme Administrative Court in June threw out a lawsuit brought by international tobacco companies to block the new labels, which fill 85 percent of the pack’s surface and include the number of a hotline for help quitting.

The new labels have hit shelves in recent day and are supposed to replace all older warnings by next month.

Some are more puzzling than ever. Let’s take a look.

Warning! Source contains graphic images

Full story: http://bangkok.coconuts.co//2014/08/28/thailands-new-cigarette-warnings-more-macabre-and-bizarre-ever


-- Coconuts Bangkok 2014-08-29

Why not simply raise taxes on the fags? Tripling the price should encourage people to smoke less.

Why not simply raise taxes on the fags? Tripling the price should encourage people to smoke less.

That's what they thought in Australia, the UK, and certain US states. What has actually happened is that the counterfeit market has taken off, with upwards of 60% of packs New York City sold untaxed. As Thailand has much easier access to illicit production centers it would be likely even worse in Thailand.

Righteous indignation and best-for-you-best-for-me statism is never free and the intention of a law, policy or tax almost never have results consistent with its aim.

Why not simply raise taxes on the fags? Tripling the price should encourage people to smoke less.

Unfortunately it doesn't seem to work. Be it cigarettes, alcohol, taxi fares etc people grumble and may cut down but only for a while then it's back to normal.

The problem is what other aspect of household expenditure may suffer to cover the increases.

Why not simply raise taxes on the fags? Tripling the price should encourage people to smoke less.

That's what they thought in Australia, the UK, and certain US states. What has actually happened is that the counterfeit market has taken off, with upwards of 60% of packs New York City sold untaxed. As Thailand has much easier access to illicit production centers it would be likely even worse in Thailand.

Righteous indignation and best-for-you-best-for-me statism is never free and the intention of a law, policy or tax almost never have results consistent with its aim.

Its not counterfeit cigarettes. People go to other states where the taxes are lower and bring them back to resell.

Going to be a big increase in the sale of fake LV cigarette cases etc pretty soon.

Why not simply raise taxes on the fags? Tripling the price should encourage people to smoke less.

1st) They're less than 30 baht a pack in Cambodia. How difficult do you think it would be for someone to cross the border with them illegally and sell them here in Thailand as another TV member posted.

2nd) There's the liberty question. Why should the government interfere in any individual person's business? If someone wants to smoke why shouldn't they be allowed to smoke? Why should someone be taxed out of the right and/or ability to smoke? What if they taxed alcohol so high nobody could afford it? what then? salt? soda? refined sugar? red meat? To give a government the ability to tax something so high that nobody can afford it is dangerous and slippery slope.

Why not simply raise taxes on the fags? Tripling the price should encourage people to smoke less.

1st) They're less than 30 baht a pack in Cambodia. How difficult do you think it would be for someone to cross the border with them illegally and sell them here in Thailand as another TV member posted.

2nd) There's the liberty question. Why should the government interfere in any individual person's business? If someone wants to smoke why shouldn't they be allowed to smoke? Why should someone be taxed out of the right and/or ability to smoke? What if they taxed alcohol so high nobody could afford it? what then? salt? soda? refined sugar? red meat? To give a government the ability to tax something so high that nobody can afford it is dangerous and slippery slope.

It did not work in Scandinavia with alcohol. At the end of the day almost everyone outside the big cities started to make his own and the industry responded in offering flavourings of Whisky and Rum brands...

Why not simply raise taxes on the fags? Tripling the price should encourage people to smoke less.

here in Norway as tobacco price so high that it has led to more smuggling of tobacco, as I think will happen in thailand if they do, it will become more smugglers of cigarettes from Cambodia, Vietnam, Burma and lao ... if people want to smoke then it's best to just let them smoke and do not care

Why not simply raise taxes on the fags? Tripling the price should encourage people to smoke less.

1st) They're less than 30 baht a pack in Cambodia. How difficult do you think it would be for someone to cross the border with them illegally and sell them here in Thailand as another TV member posted.

2nd) There's the liberty question. Why should the government interfere in any individual person's business? If someone wants to smoke why shouldn't they be allowed to smoke? Why should someone be taxed out of the right and/or ability to smoke? What if they taxed alcohol so high nobody could afford it? what then? salt? soda? refined sugar? red meat? To give a government the ability to tax something so high that nobody can afford it is dangerous and slippery slope.

The reason you should be taxed is to cover the cost of medical care for smoking related diseases and illnesses. Why should non smokers pay for the health care of smokers when everyone knows that smoking is dangerous to your health.

Why not simply raise taxes on the fags? Tripling the price should encourage people to smoke less.

1st) They're less than 30 baht a pack in Cambodia. How difficult do you think it would be for someone to cross the border with them illegally and sell them here in Thailand as another TV member posted.

2nd) There's the liberty question. Why should the government interfere in any individual person's business? If someone wants to smoke why shouldn't they be allowed to smoke? Why should someone be taxed out of the right and/or ability to smoke? What if they taxed alcohol so high nobody could afford it? what then? salt? soda? refined sugar? red meat? To give a government the ability to tax something so high that nobody can afford it is dangerous and slippery slope.

It did not work in Scandinavia with alcohol. At the end of the day almost everyone outside the big cities started to make his own and the industry responded in offering flavourings of Whisky and Rum brands...

that`s right, here in norway we take a day trip to sweden an buy all kind off food, alcohol, and cigarette, because it`s so high tax here in norway.

Why not simply raise taxes on the fags? Tripling the price should encourage people to smoke less.

1st) They're less than 30 baht a pack in Cambodia. How difficult do you think it would be for someone to cross the border with them illegally and sell them here in Thailand as another TV member posted.

2nd) There's the liberty question. Why should the government interfere in any individual person's business? If someone wants to smoke why shouldn't they be allowed to smoke? Why should someone be taxed out of the right and/or ability to smoke? What if they taxed alcohol so high nobody could afford it? what then? salt? soda? refined sugar? red meat? To give a government the ability to tax something so high that nobody can afford it is dangerous and slippery slope.

The reason you should be taxed is to cover the cost of medical care for smoking related diseases and illnesses. Why should non smokers pay for the health care of smokers when everyone knows that smoking is dangerous to your health.

one thing is true the goverment make more money on tax then they loose on smokers

Do they plan to put similar kind of images on all Wine, Spirit and Beer bottles with this new brainless anti-alcohol crackdown they just launched?

If Governments were fair dinkum they would just ban the sale of tobacco but then they would loose the taxes wouldn't they mmmm

Sale of these wee numbers has sharply increased... Health warning applies.

Edited August 29, 201411 yr by Morakot

I have no idea how can be these warnings more macabre and bizarre.

aaaaaaAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

May be they give you some human part of body effected with cancer inside the box ?

Why not simply raise taxes on the fags? Tripling the price should encourage people to smoke less.

1st) They're less than 30 baht a pack in Cambodia. How difficult do you think it would be for someone to cross the border with them illegally and sell them here in Thailand as another TV member posted.

2nd) There's the liberty question. Why should the government interfere in any individual person's business? If someone wants to smoke why shouldn't they be allowed to smoke? Why should someone be taxed out of the right and/or ability to smoke? What if they taxed alcohol so high nobody could afford it? what then? salt? soda? refined sugar? red meat? To give a government the ability to tax something so high that nobody can afford it is dangerous and slippery slope.

The reason you should be taxed is to cover the cost of medical care for smoking related diseases and illnesses. Why should non smokers pay for the health care of smokers when everyone knows that smoking is dangerous to your health.

This is a better argument against socialized medicine (which they don't have in Thailand) than for high tobacco taxes. The problem is that almost any behavior can result in harm that must treated with public funds. It makes every activity, even inactivity, the concern of society and thus the State.

If you must have socialized anything, then you will always have some people who use less of it and others who use more by choice. Building roads, educating children and fighting wars are also not free yet each of those benefits different members of society more than others. That is the price of collectivism.

There is also the trap of wishful thinking to consider, that problems are easily taxed or legislated away. It is dangerous and counterproductive not to consider the side affects of any public initiative.

Why not simply raise taxes on the fags? Tripling the price should encourage people to smoke less.

1st) They're less than 30 baht a pack in Cambodia. How difficult do you think it would be for someone to cross the border with them illegally and sell them here in Thailand as another TV member posted.

2nd) There's the liberty question. Why should the government interfere in any individual person's business? If someone wants to smoke why shouldn't they be allowed to smoke? Why should someone be taxed out of the right and/or ability to smoke? What if they taxed alcohol so high nobody could afford it? what then? salt? soda? refined sugar? red meat? To give a government the ability to tax something so high that nobody can afford it is dangerous and slippery slope.

The reason you should be taxed is to cover the cost of medical care for smoking related diseases and illnesses. Why should non smokers pay for the health care of smokers when everyone knows that smoking is dangerous to your health.

So who pays for hospitalisation of people injured in vehicular accidents? Driving can be hazardous to the health and if you drive in Thailand "everyone knows" that it is dangerous to your health. The same could be said for drinking, obesity etc. Of course, smoking is a popular vice to clamp down on but as has been proved, higher taxation is not the answer. It is just seen as an easy option by governments to raise taxation without too much resistance from the populace and if they do resist, the Health card is shown, cynical.

And No, I don't smoke, but nor am I a Smoke Nazi. ( http://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2014/07/the-nazis-forgotten-anti-smoking-campaign/373766/ )

I liked the guy blowing smoke while holding his baby, I think it was cute.

Health Ministry would be better off promoting electronic cigarettes

Why not simply raise taxes on the fags? Tripling the price should encourage people to smoke less.

a) More black imports and rise of a cigarette mafia.....

b ) homegrown tobacco, which is a lot less harmful but where it the profit?

Edited August 29, 201411 yr by h90

they should change the pictures much more often so they will be collectors items.

There was a time in the not so distant past when people were free to abuse their bodies with ease. Those were the days..............or were they really that good?

https://www.google.co.th/search?q=tobacco+ads+from+the+50s&client=firefox-a&hs=9Vt&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&channel=nts&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=JOz_U6iRC8SJuATb_IC4Bg&ved=0CB0QsAQ&biw=1280&bih=898#facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=dgQyHOOy2gF8qM%253A%3Bkq5qJSUxjU5R9M%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252F1.bp.blogspot.com%252F-RXsiBXTPsQ4%252FUYVW9Bo1CeI%252FAAAAAAAAAsM%252Fqci0fvDd8MY%252Fs1600%252FCigarette%252Bbaby%252Bad.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fromancingthesmoke.blogspot.com%252F2013%252F05%252Fhow-marlboros-early-50s-ad-campaign.html%3B756%3B468

There was a time in the not so distant past when people were free to abuse their bodies with ease. Those were the days..............or were they really that good?

cig1.jpgcig2.jpgcig3.jpgcig4.jpgcig5.jpg

https://www.google.co.th/search?q=tobacco+ads+from+the+50s&client=firefox-a&hs=9Vt&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&channel=nts&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=JOz_U6iRC8SJuATb_IC4Bg&ved=0CB0QsAQ&biw=1280&bih=898#facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=dgQyHOOy2gF8qM%253A%3Bkq5qJSUxjU5R9M%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252F1.bp.blogspot.com%252F-RXsiBXTPsQ4%252FUYVW9Bo1CeI%252FAAAAAAAAAsM%252Fqci0fvDd8MY%252Fs1600%252FCigarette%252Bbaby%252Bad.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fromancingthesmoke.blogspot.com%252F2013%252F05%252Fhow-marlboros-early-50s-ad-campaign.html%3B756%3B468

the good old days with freedom

I wonder when they start putting ugly pictures on soft drinks. After all, overweight is killing more people than smoking.

Why not simply raise taxes on the fags? Tripling the price should encourage people to smoke less.

1st) They're less than 30 baht a pack in Cambodia. How difficult do you think it would be for someone to cross the border with them illegally and sell them here in Thailand as another TV member posted.

2nd) There's the liberty question. Why should the government interfere in any individual person's business? If someone wants to smoke why shouldn't they be allowed to smoke? Why should someone be taxed out of the right and/or ability to smoke? What if they taxed alcohol so high nobody could afford it? what then? salt? soda? refined sugar? red meat? To give a government the ability to tax something so high that nobody can afford it is dangerous and slippery slope.

The answer to that is that when the smokers get cancer they expect free treatment. They should be free to smoke but should also pay their own medical costs. Cigarettes and other items mentioned above should be taxed to cover the true cost of the damage they do. At the moment they are subsidized by taxpayers who have to pick up the bill for medical costs for all the damage caused. Eat all the junk food you want but don't expect others to pay your medical costs.

Also, nearly all smokers just throw their cigarette butts on the floor. They have zero respect for the environment around them.

Thai youth will probably see the toothless fairy as a role model.

Let's be frank. Nothing encourages quitting like taxes. Hike them enough in one hit and the shelves will be filled with unsold merchandise. But then, how would the government of the day pay for its various schemes ... so little enough chance of that.

Why not simply raise taxes on the fags? Tripling the price should encourage people to smoke less.

Or buy fake name brands from China

Why not simply raise taxes on the fags? Tripling the price should encourage people to smoke less.

Fags have enough trouble as it is, on their daily shopping excursions to buy more make-up, sex toys, Justin Bieber memorabilia, soothing anal balm, and all the latest in haute couture fashion. Let's not raise taxes on them.

Why not simply raise taxes on the fags? Tripling the price should encourage people to smoke less.

1st) They're less than 30 baht a pack in Cambodia. How difficult do you think it would be for someone to cross the border with them illegally and sell them here in Thailand as another TV member posted.

2nd) There's the liberty question. Why should the government interfere in any individual person's business? If someone wants to smoke why shouldn't they be allowed to smoke? Why should someone be taxed out of the right and/or ability to smoke? What if they taxed alcohol so high nobody could afford it? what then? salt? soda? refined sugar? red meat? To give a government the ability to tax something so high that nobody can afford it is dangerous and slippery slope.

The reason you should be taxed is to cover the cost of medical care for smoking related diseases and illnesses. Why should non smokers pay for the health care of smokers when everyone knows that smoking is dangerous to your health.

This is a fair argument, but I would really like to see a true correlation of tobacco tax revenue and public health expenditure. From any country.

Edited August 29, 201411 yr by Oziex1