THAILAND
A new tobacco control bill has been passed, raising the minimum age for young people to buy cigarettes from 18 years to 20 years.
Under the new bill, anyone who sells cigarettes to under-age teenagers could be jailed for three months or fined up to THB30,000 (US$875) or both. People who sell cigarettes must also be at least 18 years old and each cigarette pack must contain 20 cigarettes, prohibiting the sale of individual cigarettes. Online sales of cigarettes is also banned. Cigarettes can now only be sold in a specified location licensed by authorities.
Marketing or promotional activities and all types of advertising for tobacco products are prohibited. The penalty for those who advertise could be a month in prison or a fine of THB500,000, while producers, importers, or advertisers who launch cigarette advertising campaigns could face jail terms up to a year and a fine of THB1.5 million. Reducing prices or offering rewards to promote cigarette sales are not allowed, nor is it permitted to display cigarettes. The new law also includes any products that contain nicotine substances, including hookah, and electronic cigarettes.