"New Regulation: Non-Smoking Area" according to the Tobacco Product Control Act B.E.2560

Abstract

The aim of this study is to present developments of the public’s protection from exposure to tobacco smoke in Thailand. New notifications under the Tobacco Product Control Act of 2017 have been issued to support two measures by the Ministry of Public Health which specify the characteristics of signage in smoking and non-smoking areas. These became effective on November 6, 2018 with the Ministry of Public Health’s announcement regarding the categories and named public places, workplaces and vehicle types which are required to be non-smoking. Some smoking areas in non-smoking locations had still been permitted in the past through previous provisions which came into force on 3 February 2018. For example, such rules did not prohibit smoking in private cars. This study presents evidence of the importance of limiting smoking in private cars. Thailand hopes to advocate for the issuance of non-smoking rules in cars to protect the health of Thai people and in accordance with the obligations of the FCTC, of which Thailand is a member state.