Thailand

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

Smoke Free Places

Smoking is prohibited in all indoor 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 rotating pictorial health warnings on cigarette packaging, occupying 85 percent of the top of the front and back principal display areas. Pictorial health warnings also are required on packaging of 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.

Cigarette Contents and Disclosures

Beginning May 24, 2029, the law will regulate specified contents of cigarettes, including banning mint, spices, and herbs; and ingredients that create the impression of health benefits or are associated with energy and vitality; among others. The law requires that manufacturers and importers disclose to government authorities information on the contents and emissions of their products.

Sales Restrictions

The law prohibits the sale of tobacco products via vending machines, the internet, and in schools, playgrounds, and healthcare facilities. The law also prohibits the sale of single cigarettes, small packets of cigarettes, and waterpipe tobacco. The sale of tobacco products is prohibited to persons under the age of 18.

E-Cigarettes

The manufacture, import, and sale of e-cigarettes are prohibited. There are no restrictions on advertising, promotion and sponsorship of e-cigarettes.

Heated Tobacco Products

The manufacture, import, and sale of heated tobacco products (HTPs) are prohibited. It is uncertain whether the use of HTPs is prohibited in indoor public places, workplaces, and public transport. There is no law addressing advertising and promotion for HTPs.

Roadmap to Tobacco Control Legislation

Effective July 4, 2017, the Tobacco Products Control Act of 2017 (TPCA) is the primary piece of legislation governing tobacco control in Thailand. The TPCA 2017 rescinds and replaces the Tobacco Products Control Act of 1992 and the Non-Smokers Health Protection Act of 1992.

In 2014, the Ministry of Commerce issued a Notification banning the import of e-cigarettes and HTPs. In 2015, the Consumer Protection Board issued Order No. 9/2015, further banning the sale of e-cigarettes and HTPs. In 2024, the Committee on Safety of Products and Services issued Decree No. 24/2024, replacing Order No. 9/2015 to clarify key terms and ban the manufacture and sale of e-cigarettes and HTPs.

The Minister of Public Health has issued three sets of regulations under the TPCA 2017. (1) Ministry of Public Health Notification Re: Identification of Types or Names of Public Places, Work Places and Vehicles, Entirely or in Part, as Non-Smoking Areas or Smoking Areas in Non-Smoking Areas B.E. 2561 (2018) identifies different categories of smoke free places. (2) Ministry of Public Health Notification of Criteria, Methods and Conditions of Tobacco Product and Cigarette Packaging B.E. 2564 (2021) establishes the requirements for the plain packaging of tobacco products and an updated set of health warnings. This notification replaced the previous notification issued in 2018. (3) Ministerial Regulation Regarding the Components and Combustion Byproducts of Tobacco Products Such as Cigarettes and Cigars, Reporting, and Issuance of Certificates B.E. 2567 (2024) regulates contents, emission limits, and reporting requirements for tobacco products. The provisions regulating contents and emissions limits, however, will not take effect until four years following the effective date of the regulation, or May 24, 2029.

Because the 2021 Notification on packaging and labeling only addresses health warnings on cigarette packaging, the following notices remain in effect: 1) Notification of the Ministry of Public Health No. 13 of 2007 (regulating health warnings for cigars); 2) Ministry of Public Health Notice No. 15 of 2011 (prohibiting misleading statements); and 3) Ministry of Public Health Notification No. 17 of 2012 (prescribing requirements for graphic health warnings on packages of shredded tobacco and blended shredded tobacco).

Review Status

This country’s legal measures were reviewed by our legal staff in consultation with in-country lawyers or tobacco control experts.