The process of communicating policies to practice from government agencies to entrepreneurs, manufacturers, importers of tobacco products

Abstract

This evaluation project has the objective of studying the process of informing and guiding the enforcement of public health law to the manufacturers, importers and entrepreneurs of tobacco products, including studying, guiding, and enforcing the laws of the public sector to retailers, and convenient stores.  This project also studies the problems, and obstacles of communicating process and enforcement of the law by government officials.  This study was conducted through organizing seminars in order to practice for mutual understanding of the Tobacco Products Control Act, BE 2560’s implementation, for manufacturers, importers, and entrepreneurs of tobacco products. State officials and staff in the Tobacco Control Development and Enforcement Working Group who were involved with communication and enforcement of the law, were interviewed about problems and obstacles. Data were analyzed using percentage, mean, independent t-test and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA).

The results indicated that the majority of the manufacturers, importers and entrepreneurs of tobacco product had a good level of knowledge and understanding of the law under the Tobacco Products Control Act, BE 2560.  They had good understanding of the intent and substance of the law. They had a good level of ability to apply knowledge to the application of the work. They had a good level of ability to bring knowledge to inform those who were involved. They also had a good level of confidence and ability to apply the knowledge gained.  Retailers and convenient stores who sell tobacco products cooperated in complying with the law. The problems and obstacles in the process of communicating and enforcing the law by government officials is lacking of personnel at the local level, Including agencies and personnel who are motivated to put an effort to participate in tobacco control work.