BANGKOK – City authorities have launched a stringent crackdown on public smoking, strengthening the enforcement of existing laws to mitigate health risks from secondhand smoke. The initiative follows a high-level meeting between Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt and leading health experts, including Dr. Prakit Vathesatogkit and Chayanan Sithibusaya of the Tobacco Products Control Office, focusing on combating indoor air pollution linked to tobacco use.

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The move aims to address persistent gaps in the implementation of anti-smoking legislation originally introduced in 1992. With more than 1.2 million smokers residing in the capital and an annual influx of 32.4 million tourists, exposure to secondhand smoke remains a significant public health concern. Governor Chadchart underscored the urgency of these measures, noting that the crackdown aligns with Bangkok’s recent designation as a Healthy City by the World Health Organization in October 2024, a recognition of the city’s ongoing efforts in disease prevention and health promotion.

Bangkok is stepping up the enforcement of its public smoking ban to better protect residents and tourists from the dangers of secondhand smoke.

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Enforcement will be reinforced under the Tobacco Products Control Act of 2017 and its 2018 amendments, which clearly define smoke-free zones. Individuals found violating the ban may face fines of up to 5,000 baht. To support implementation, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration plans to collaborate with Iloilo City in the Philippines, a recognized regional leader in tobacco control, to develop effective local ordinances and train a dedicated enforcement unit of 20 officers.

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Dr. Prakit referenced Article 8 of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, stressing that secondhand smoke is a proven carcinogen with no safe level of exposure. He emphasized that clean, smoke-free air constitutes a fundamental human right and called on authorities to prioritize health protection, especially for vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, and individuals with pre-existing health conditions.

-Thailand News (TN)