[Intl-tobacco] Thailand: Under-age labels to be scrapped
Robert Weissman
rob@essential.org
Fri, 12 Jul 2002 16:24:12 -0700
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ANTI-SMOKING CAMPAIGN: Under-age labels to be scrapped
Ministry says ´under 18´ warningsmon packets do more harm than good
by Usa Shevajumroen
Source: The Nation (th), 2002-07-04, via tobacco.org
Region:THAILAND
Category: Teen Smoking/Youth Issues
URL:
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/page.news.php3?clid=2&id53&usrsess=1
Foreign tobacco companies will be asked to remove under-age warning
labels from cigarette packets in accordance with the Public Health
Ministry´s findings that the warnings actually attract minors to
smoking.
The ministry found that warnings like "No sale of cigarettes to
those under 18", no matter how well intentioned, inspired
rebellious feelings in teenagers, increasing the likelihood that
they would try smoking, said Public Health Minister Sudarat
Keyuraphan.
The under-18 market, she said, was a prime target of tobacco
companies. Marketing research has shown that only 5 per cent of
smokers begin smoking after the age of 24.
Tobacco companies have exploited loopholes in the law to convey the
message to young people that smoking is a "grown-up thing", said Dr
Seri Tujinda, director of the Medical Services Department.
"The main reason young people start smoking is because they want to
appear mature," he said.
According to the Tobacco Consumption Control Act of 1998, the sale
of tobacco to persons under the age of 18 is punishable by a
one-month jail term and/or a Bt2,000 fine.
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<br><b><font size=+1>ANTI-SMOKING CAMPAIGN: Under-age labels to be scrapped</font></b>
<br>Ministry says ´under 18´ warningsmon packets do more harm
than good
<br>by Usa Shevajumroen
<br>Source: The Nation (th), 2002-07-04, via tobacco.org
<br>Region:THAILAND
<br>Category: Teen Smoking/Youth Issues
<br>URL:
<br><font color="#333399"><a href="http://www.nationmultimedia.com/page.news.php3?clid=2&id53&usrsess=1">http</a>://www.nationmultimedia.com/page.news.php3?clid=2&id53&usrsess<a href="http://www.nationmultimedia.com/page.news.php3?clid=2&id53&usrsess=1">=1</a></font>
<p>Foreign tobacco companies will be asked to remove under-age warning
<br>labels from cigarette packets in accordance with the Public Health
<br>Ministry´s findings that the warnings actually attract minors
to
<br>smoking.
<p>The ministry found that warnings like "No sale of cigarettes to
<br>those under 18", no matter how well intentioned, inspired
<br>rebellious feelings in teenagers, increasing the likelihood that
<br>they would try smoking, said Public Health Minister Sudarat
<br>Keyuraphan.
<p>The under-18 market, she said, was a prime target of tobacco
<br>companies. Marketing research has shown that only 5 per cent of
<br>smokers begin smoking after the age of 24.
<p>Tobacco companies have exploited loopholes in the law to convey the
<br>message to young people that smoking is a "grown-up thing", said Dr
<br>Seri Tujinda, director of the Medical Services Department.
<p>"The main reason young people start smoking is because they want to
<br>appear mature," he said.
<p>According to the Tobacco Consumption Control Act of 1998, the sale
<br>of tobacco to persons under the age of 18 is punishable by a
<br>one-month jail term and/or a Bt2,000 fine.
<br> </html>
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