Duty-free cigarettes next target
Cigarettes and tobacco products will not be available in duty-free shops worldwide if a new anti-smoking protocol proposed by Thailand is approved in principle at an international convention to be held in Bangkok later this month.
Public Health Minister Mongkol na Songkhla said yesterday that approval by the Ministerial Committee of the 2nd Framework Convention on Tobacco Protocol would make cigarettes and tobacco products sold in duty-free shops around the world subject to customs duty.The proposal also bars international advertising of cigarettes on online media and local visual media, including billboard displays or through promotional campaigns or sponsorship events. As a result, websites featuring or advertising cigarettes will be blocked - in Thailand. All conditions will be enforced globally if the protocol is approved by the 161-country committee during its meeting from June 30 to July 6, and eventually passed by the so-called Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. Thailand signed the convention in June 2003 and ratified it in November 2004. The Bt10-million Convention will see 600-800 participants from member countries. Thailand, led by Dr Hathai Chitanont, chairman of the Thailand Health Promotion institute, will lead 10 countries from Southeast Asia. Thailand has been recognised for its strict measures on anti-smoking campaigns and tobacco control.
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