Thailand

Tobacco Control Policies

Thailand became a Party to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control on February 27, 2005.

Smoke Free Places: Smoking is prohibited in almost all public places, indoor workplaces, and public transport. Smoking is prohibited in the following outdoor places: facilities for exercise, sports training, sports playing, and sports competitions of every kind, public parks, zoological parks, and amusement parks, children’s playgrounds, and markets.

Tobacco Advertising, Promotion and Sponsorship: There is a comprehensive ban on tobacco advertising and promotion, with limited exceptions for reverse brand stretching and unpaid depiction. Although sponsorship by the tobacco industry is allowed, some forms of publicity of the sponsorship are prohibited.

Tobacco Packaging and Labeling: Plain packaging is required for all cigarettes available for retail sale as of December 8, 2019. The law requires pictorial health warnings on cigarettes, occupying 85 percent of the top of the front and back principal display areas. Pictorial health warnings also are required on shredded tobacco (which is typically used for hand-rolled cigarettes or smokeless tobacco products) and cigars. Misleading packaging and labeling, including terms such as “light” and “low tar” and other signs, is prohibited.

Tobacco Taxation and Prices: The World Health Organization recommends raising tobacco excise taxes so that they account for at least 70 percent of retail prices. Tobacco excise taxes in Thailand are below these recommendations.

SMOKE FREE ENVIRONMENTS COMPLETE SMOKING BAN
Health-care facilities Yes
Private offices Yes
Primary and secondary schools Yes
Public transport Yes
Universities Yes
Restaurants Yes
Governmental facilities Yes
Bars and Pubs Yes
Can subnational jurisdictions enact more stringent smoking restrictions? Uncertain
BANS ON TOBACCO ADVERTISING, PROMOTION, AND SPONSORSHIP
Domestic TV and radio Yes
Promotional discounts Yes
Domestic magazines and newspapers Yes
Non-tobacco products or services with tobacco brand names Yes
Outdoor advertising Yes
Tobacco products with non-tobacco brand names Yes
Point-of-sale advertising Yes
Paid placement in media Yes
Retail product display Yes
Financial sponsorship, including corporate social responsibility Yes
Internet advertising Yes
Publicity of sponsorships Yes
Free distribution Yes
HEALTH WARNINGS ON SMOKED TOBACCO PRODUCTS
Text warnings describe health impacts Yes
Number of published warnings at any given time 10
Warnings include a picture or graphic Yes
Warnings required to rotate Required
% of principal display areas covered (front and back) 85%
Warnings are written in the principal language(s) Yes
Front 85%
Ban on misleading packaging and labeling Yes
Back 85%
Health warnings on smokeless tobacco products Yes
TOBACCO TAXATION AND PRICE
PRICE OF MOST SOLD BRAND, PACK OF 20 CIGARETTES TAXES ON MOST SOLD BRAND (% OF RETAIL PRICE)
In country currency 66.00 THB
Total taxes 81%
In US dollars 1.79 USD
Total excise 61%

Sources:

SF, APS, PL: Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids Legal Website. Available at: www.tobaccocontrollaws.org

Tax: WHO Report on the Global Tobacco Epidemic, 2023. Available at: www.who.int/teams/health-promotion/tobacco-control/global-tobacco-report-2023

Last updated: February 10, 2024