[Intl-tobacco] Thailand: 7-Eleven told to comply or else

[robert weissman]

http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/28Sep2005_news11.php
Bangkok Post
September 28, 2005

7-Eleven told to comply or else

APINYA WIPATAYOTIN

The Public Health Ministry has sent a warning to the CP 7-Eleven
convenience store chain as its outlets continue to ignore the ministry's
ban on cigarette displays at retail shops, in effect since Sept 24. A
survey, made by the Disease Control Department three days after the ban
took effect, found 192 retail shops in Bangkok and neighbouring
provinces continued to openly display cigarette products.

The department's deputy chief Narong Sahamethapat yesterday said most of
the offenders were 7-Eleven outlets.

``Most of the complaints were against CP 7-Eleven shops, including 26 in
Bangkok and nearby cities. ... But as far as we know, all CP 7-Eleven
shops across the country have yet to follow the regulation,'' he said.

``That's why we sent the warning letter to the company. If the company
ignores our warning, it will be fined 200,000 baht [per shop],'' Mr
Narong said.

CP 7-Eleven officials could not be reached for comment yesterday.

Meanwhile, a group calling itself ``the Network of Single Parents'' has
called for a boycott of 7-Eleven stores.

``We have been cheated by the company. It promised to stop all cigarette
displays as of Sept 24, but the fact shows it is doing the opposite. We
urge all parents to stop buying from 7-Eleven shops until it starts to
cooperate with the ministry,'' said Anya-orn Sawasri, the group leader.

However, the ban was described as an ``outstanding achievement'' in the
war on tobacco in Thailand by Dr Prakit Vathesatogkit, secretary-general
of the Action on Smoking and Health Foundation.

``We won't return to square one. We must continue our campaign against
tobacco. If whatever we have done is not in line with any law, then we
must amend that law to facilitate our work,'' he said.

Dr Prakit was referring to Thailand Tobacco Monopoly's move to have the
Council of State, the government's legal arm, look into the legality of
the ban on cigarette displays.