planned new cigarette warnings face opposition

Big cigarette warnings draw dissent

Published: 12 Mar 2013 at 19.43
Online news:

Two government departments have urged the Public Health Ministry to reconsider its plan to alter the size of the graphic warnings on cigarette packs.

The Department of Intellectual Property and the International Trademark Association have jointly issued a complaint to Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and Public Health Minister Pradit Sintawanarong.

They pointed out that the new adjustment contravenes intellectual property regulations under Thai legislation, breaks the Thai Trademark law and violates international treaties.

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ATNN
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Discussion 11 : 13 Mar 2013 at 13.3111
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It's all fun and games until you get told you've got 6 months to live because you have untreatable lung cancer. Smoking is unhealthy, and it kills you. How something known to make you sick and kill you, is even allowed on the shelves is baffling. Education is key, not taxes or laws, both are easily circumvented, even in places like Singapore. If Singapore can't stop the sale of illegal cigarettes, there is no way Thailand will.
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CMfarang
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Discussion 10 : 13 Mar 2013 at 10.1210
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People become addicted when they are young. The graphic packaging is aimed at them.
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ricardo
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Discussion 9 : 13 Mar 2013 at 09.089
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What nonsense are the Department of Intellectual Property and the International Trademark Association spouting. The Australian government has put much harsher terms on Cigarette packages and no issue about trade violations or the other issues raised.
I don’t smoke but many of my Thai family do and more than a few have departed in their 50’s in what I believe in part was from smoking. That does not seem to deter the rest of them from smoking cheap cigarettes and whisky so I doubt more warnings on the package will. Raising the price will do more for cutting down consumption.
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robins
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Discussion 8 : 13 Mar 2013 at 08.478
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@Discussion 1 The Thai Tobacco Monopoly is owned by the Government, which according to their website has controlled the sale of cigarettes in Thailand since 1939. Kind of makes it difficult to "stand up for the little people." This is more like a dispute between 2 departments of the same company.
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dao
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Discussion 7 : 13 Mar 2013 at 08.447
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300 percent tax would be more effective .
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phetpeter
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Discussion 6 : 13 Mar 2013 at 07.086
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What governments should be doing is researching why people are smoking and drinking more? Stress in life is the killer. The fact people have to get a drink down them during the day or after work, and smoking helps them calm down and the medical side of tobbacco that suppresses the need to eat and calms down stomach and gut problems has benifits too! So helping people control their intake and modify the amounts would go along way, than just screaming 'Stop'!The 'costs' of medical care is mainly related to profits not because of people lifestyles.
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wyle
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Discussion 5 : 13 Mar 2013 at 07.075
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Make bigger packaging and smaller cigarettes. Cigarettes are killing people and effects the health care system. The only people who complain about the new rules are the ones who profit from the killings. Thailand should put a price on the negative effect of cigarettes on society and charge this amount to tobacco companies.
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drsmith
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Discussion 4 : 13 Mar 2013 at 06.574
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The health and welfare of the people is always second to the profits of a few companies.
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johnbegood
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Discussion 3 : 13 Mar 2013 at 03.473
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Smoking causes Cancer & many other Health issues.
It's a burden on every Countries Health System.
Australia stood up to the Tobacco companies, so Thailand can also.
"Can we Headline this Remark ?"
"The well-being of about 480,000 Thai retailers is more important than just making a world record," said TTTA Executive Director Varaporn Namatra."
Is this person serious?
I suggests some research on how many people die daily from smoking related diseases would be appropiate.
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CMfarang
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Discussion 2 : 12 Mar 2013 at 21.032
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The well-being of about 480,000 Thai retailers is more important than making people more aware of health concerns for the product. Let the PM decide.
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Big cigarette warnings draw dissent

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