Health officials have vowed to carry on "endless campaigns" against smoking after finding that more than 10 million Thai people, including underage children are addicted to tobacco.
Though the government has employed many measures to reduce the number of smokers, including a tax increase on cigarette sales, placing unpleasant images on cigarette packs and creating more no-smoking zones, greater efforts are still needed.
The Public Health Ministry is now asking for help from volunteers.
"We're trying to have one volunteer find and persuade at least three people to quit smoking," Public Health Minister Piyasakol Sakolsatayadorn said as he presided over an anti-smoking event held to mark World No-Tobacco Day yesterday.
He set a target to reduce the number of smokers by 3 million.
Cigarettes are a major cause of death among Thais and negatively impact the economy.
In 2017, up to 72,656 died of smoking, said Disease Control Department chief Suwannachai Wattanayingcharoenchai.
Most of them suffered cardiovascular disorder, followed by lung cancer and emphysema.
