More than 70,000 Thais die from smoking-related illnesses each year, and the number of new smokers -- some as young as 10 years old -- is on the rise, despite the country's decades-long effort, initiated by late Privy Council president Prem Tinsulanonda, to curb smoking.
"Subsequent measures to increase tax on cigarettes and scare prospective smokers by using graphic images of medical conditions caused by smoking have earned Thailand applause from the World Health Organisation," said Daniel Kertesz, WHO's representative to Thailand, who added that he remains "saddened" by the statistics.
"Just one puff of smoke is enough to expose a person to several hundred toxic chemicals that damage the lungs," Disease Control Department chief Suwannachai Wattanayingcharoenchai said, as the government prepares to launch fresh campaigns for World No-Tobacco Day, which falls on Friday.
Up to 49% of 72,656 patients with smoking-related lung diseases died prematurely in 2017, said Roengruedi Pathanwanit, a lecturer at Ramathibodi Hospital's Faculty of Medicine. More worrying is a study that found that about 10% of young smokers took up the habit at age 10, said Public Health Minister, Piyasakol Sakolsatayadorn.
