BANGKOK, 28 July 2015 – The Tobacco Control Research and Knowledge Management Center and partners show their support for the Tobacco Control draft act in the hope to reduce effects on the Thai economy in the long run.
Secretary-General of the Action on Smoking and Health Foundation M.D. Prakit Wathisathokkit expressed his belief that the draft act would help prevent cigarette addiction and new smokers. It would also save medical costs for first-hand and second-hand smokers, said the doctor.
Smoking-related illnesses and deaths cost the economy 74 billion baht or 0.78% of the GDP in 2009 while the tobacco excise tax revenue stood at 40 billion baht.
