Bangkok is stepping up the enforcement of its public smoking ban to better protect residents and tourists from the dangers of secondhand smoke.
Prof Dr Prakit Vathesatogkit, a health expert and member of the National Tobacco Products Control Committee, on Thursday revealed that he and Dr Chayanan Sithibusaya, Director of the Tobacco Products Control Office at the Department of Disease Control, raised the issue during a meeting with Bangkok governor Chadchart Sittipunt.
Prof Dr Prakit stressed that cigarette smoke is among the most harmful indoor air pollutants. And while Thailand has had anti-smoking laws since 1992, enforcement in Bangkok remains inconsistent, he added.
The city has over 1.2 million smokers and hosted more than 32.4 million visitors in 2024, about 20% of whom are smokers, he noted.
In response, Mr Chadchart reaffirmed the city’s commitment to a health-friendly environment, highlighting its designation as a “Healthy City” by the World Health Organization (WHO) in October 2024.
The recognition was based on Bangkok’s progress in health promotion and disease prevention.
The Bangkok governor said that the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration will step up the enforcement of the Tobacco Products Control Act BE 2560 (2017) and the 2018 smoke-free zone regulation.
Violators face fines of up to 5,000 baht.
To strengthen enforcement, Bangkok will invite experts from Iloilo City in the Philippines, known for its successful tobacco control measures, to provide guidance on local ordinances and the creation of a dedicated enforcement unit.
About 20 officers will be tasked with ensuring compliance.
Citing Article 8 of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, Prof Dr Prakit reminded the public that secondhand smoke is a carcinogen with no safe exposure level.
He urged the authorities to view smoke-free air as a basic human right.