Speech on Tobacco Control
Opening Remarks
by
Mr. Paiboon Wattanasiritham
Deputy Prime Minister
at the 2nd Session of the Conference of the Parties
to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control
at the Plenary Hall, UNCC, Bangkok
on 30th June 2007 at 16.30 p.m.
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Ambassador Juan Martabit,
Deputy Director-General of the World Health Organization,
Excellencies ,
Distinguished Delegates,
Honorable Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is not often that we have such a large gathering of delegates from so many countries of the world. More importantly, this is the gathering of people dedicated to preventing the loss of lives and promoting the health of people world wide.
So, on behalf of the Royal Thai Government and the Ministry of Public Health, I would like to extend a warm welcome to all delegates participating in the Second Session of the Conference of the Parties to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control from 30th June to 6th July 2007 at UNCC, Bangkok. It is my great honor and pleasure to have an opportunity to join with all of you at the precious moment of the opening ceremony of this conference which marks an important chapter in the public health history for showing our global power in tobacco control. I also would like to thank WHO for honoring Thailand in providing Thailand and the Thai people with the opportunity to take part in the first occasion of conducting this conference outside Geneva.
We all have truly known that tobacco is the second major cause of death in the world and also the fourth most common risk factor for disease worldwide. Hence, it can be said that tobacco consumption can lead to loss of life and assets. I do believe that all Parties have mutually agreed that smoking is a very serious danger which is increasingly expanding all over the world. As an example, let me take a few minutes to provide you with some information on this issue in Thailand.
In 2006, based on a survey of the smoking rate of the Thai population aged eleven-years and older conducted by the National Statistical Office, it was revealed that the number of smokers was about 11 million or 20.1 per cent of the population and that the male smoking rate is 15 times higher than that of the female rate. In addition, the rate of smoking of the working age population of 20 to 59 years is the highest at 25 percent. It also indicated that the trend of smoking in youths continues to increase with smokers starting at a younger and younger age. Besides, the disease burden from smoking is the third most significant cause that is only slightly lower than that of sexually transmitted diseases and the other diseases caused by alcohol consumption. This is clear evidence of the rapidly spreading crisis caused by smoking in Thailand which parallels that of many other countries worldwide.
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Ladies and Gentlemen,
The Royal Thai Government realizes that the tobacco consumption problem is becoming increasingly serious, therefore, priority is given to best practices in providing knowledge, dissemination of information, implementing campaigns, fostering awareness and providing network development support for various population groups such as youth groups, people’s organizations, health multi-disciplinary networks, women’s groups, media personnel and people involved in other areas of science. This also includes the use of various legislative measures. Thailand also gives priority to implementation and development of measures related to any international tobacco law and the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control by joining in ratification as the 36th country.
I am delighted to say, the results from being one of the Parties at that time has led to the development of better and more sustainable tobacco control conditions in Thailand. It has also pushed us to more easily achieve the Thai development and execution of the Tobacco Product Control Act B.E. 2535 (1992) and the Non-Smoker’s Health Protection Act B.E. 2535 (1992). Moreover, it has facilitated the acceptance of complex issues such as encouraging entrepreneurs to accept the prohibition on tobacco product advertisements at selling points. In addition, it has strengthened the expansion of the network of people in diverse sectors to provide support for these campaigns. Consequently, the rate of smoking of the Thai population is currently stable.
Thailand can therefore take great pride in the achievements of tobacco control, as developments in tobacco control started from zero in 1990 and took almost two decades to achieve satisfactory success in the present. It should be noted that a major factor contributing to the success in tobacco control is the awareness of the dangers of tobacco consumption and the cooperation of all sectors of Thai society. However, the most important contributing factor is the speech delivered in 2005 by our beloved Monarch, His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, expressing his concerns about the increasing trend of smoking among youths. This speech energized social consciousness resulting in increased commitment to prevention and control of tobacco consumption among youths.
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Ladies and Gentlemen,
The Royal Thai Government and the Ministry of Public Health do promise to continue to promote and develop other parts of the tobacco control program. The short term plan is to ensure more efficient execution of tobacco controls and expand non-smoking workplaces up to 100 per cent together with legislating laws in order to cover other public places such as fresh markets and prisons. As for the long term plan, we will strongly implement alternative choices to encourage crop substitutes for tobacco farmers and push for a comprehensive ban on tobacco advertising.
I am confident that this conference in Bangkok will achieve the expectations of all Parties. With the global community’s commitment to prevention, control and reduction of tobacco consumption, we can certainly look forward to the improved health and well-being of the global population in the years to come.
Furthermore, I would like to express my deep gratitude to all Parties for your moral support for Thailand in conducting this conference. Let’s take this opportunity to share our knowledge and experiences not only in tobacco control but also in other new health challenges. These challenges will let us learn and develop collectively in order to accomplish our goals. It might be said that although we are from different regions, the language of public health is universal. I do hope that your stay in Thailand would be a productive and memorable one.
Finally, I would like to invite all of you to visit Thailand again. We do have a good share of the world’s natural beauty as well as cultural values. More importantly, the Thai people are always willing to give you a warm welcome and cordial friendship.
Again, let me express my sincere thanks to WHO for your confidence in Thailand to be the host of this conference. I wish all of you all the success in your deliberations.
Thank you.
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