Smoking Banned in Thailand

The Ministry of Public Health has issued a policy stating that, with immediate effect, all public areas as well as workplaces are to become smoke-free zones. The aim of this policy is to protect people who do not smoke because second-hand smoke can be just as harmful as smoking. An estimated 13 million people in Thailand are smokers.

The new no-smoking policy focuses on three areas;

No smoking is allowed both in and outside of any designated ‘100% No-Smoking Zone’. These consist of educational institutions, hospitals, clinics, religious destinations, sports centers, banks and other financial institutions.

No smoking is allowed inside but is permitted outside of buildings, but must be within the permitted area of places like government buildings, petrol stations, universities, educational institutions of higher than Grade 12.

The only place smokers can smoke inside a restricted area is Suvannabhumi airport in which smoking rooms are available for arriving or departing travelers.

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Public Health Jurintorn Luksanawiset said, “Business owners or those who are responsible for the said areas should follow our new policy and must follow the following procedures to warn the public;

Erect clear non-smoking signs and place them inside and outside buildings.

Remove dustbins from non smoking areas.

Smoking areas must not be near the entrance or exit of a building and should be in a place away from the public and does not disturb nearby businesses.

Those who see anyone breaking the rules can report this immediately by calling 1555 in Bangkok or 1422 for other areas in Thailand. Those who break the policy will be fined with an immediate fine of not more than 2,000 baht. Business owners who do not set up a restricted smoking area or provide clear no smoking signs will be fined with a fine of not more than 20,000 baht.”

Mr. Jurintorn added, “The Ministry of Public Health will be following this policy strictly as well. We will also make sure that businesses and buildings under our responsibility are following this policy by concentrating on the following;

Hospitals and clinics all around Thailand will now be ‘100% No-Smoking Zones’ both inside and outside.

All areas under the care of the Ministry of Public Health whether it’s inside or outside will also be 100% No-Smoking Zones.

All areas under the care of the Ministry of Public Health will no longer have dustbins or any materials that might influence smoking.

Officers will do their best to put up signs to let the public know about the new policy.”