Bangkok--18 Dec--124 Communications
Association to fight to protect retailers from burden of unnecessary regulations
The Thai Tobacco Trade Association (TTTA) continues to be concerned about the negative impact the proposed Tobacco Consumption Control Act (TCCA) would have on retailers across the country. Contrary to the criticism recently leveled against the retailer community, the TTTA wants to be a partner developing tobacco policies that will reduce smoking rates without unnecessarily threatening our livelihoods. Unfortunately the policies under consideration by the government are not only unnecessary and excessive but put the jobs of TTTA members, including small businesses, at risk across the country.
“Last year the Bangkok-based National Professional Officer for Tobacco Control at the World Health Organization publicly stated that Thailand has one of the best tobacco control laws in the world. But the enforcement is weak.”[1] If our laws are good enough for the WHO, why do we need to spend time and taxpayer money on regulations that are only going to hurt retailers and Thai businesses, but do little or nothing to stop people from smoking?” said Mrs. Varaporn Namatra, TTTA Executive Director.
Under today’s laws, there have been 47 government regulations, notifications or rules issued by the Government aimed at controlling tobacco. TTTA believes that with Government revenue already under pressure, there is no need to spend taxpayer money on writing new laws, and especially new laws with provisions that will also create operational burdens and drive up costs for retailers. Rather, taxpayer resources should be devoted to education and enforcing the strong existing legislation.
The TTTA and its 1,300 members across Thailand are deeply concerned about this proposal. In fact, according to a recent poll conducted by Ipsos-Thailand on behalf of TTTA, an overwhelming majority of retailers (78 percent) believe that new extreme tobacco regulation will hurt their businesses. Instead of introducing new extreme regulations, 72% of retailers think more education and 50% believe that better enforcement of current laws should be more effective in reducing smoking rates.
“The Association is prepared to work with our country’s decision-makers to explain how this draft law will have a negative economic impact on the more than 450,000 tobacco retailers, distributors, wholesalers and importers nationwide and to work together to ensure Thailand’s already strong tobacco laws are enforced,” Mrs. Varaporn added.
The retailer poll, conducted by Ipsos-Thailand, is the property of the Thailand Tobacco Trade Association. It is based on a telephone online poll interviewing one thousand small retailer shop owners and store managers all across Thailand between 24 September 2012 and 14 October 2012.
The Thai Tobacco Trade Association was established in January 2012 with the main objective to reflect the perspectives of tobacco retailers, wholesalers, distributors, logistic providers and importers towards important issues related to the tobacco industry. For more information, please visit TTTA’s website, www.ttta.or.th.
About Thai Tobacco Trade Association:
Thai Tobacco Trade Association (TTTA) was established in January 2012 with the objective of reflecting the perspectives of tobacco-product retailers, wholesalers, and distributors towards tobacco-related issues in order to solve problems and concerns within tobacco trading industry. Topics will cover laws and regulations on tobacco taxation, illegal tobacco product deterrence, and other related campaigns such as youth smoking prevention and local CSR initiatives. Moreover, TTTA is a center of communication between tobacco business sectors and government and media. For more information, please visit www.ttta.or.th
Thai Tobacco Trade Association (TTTA):
31/1208 Soi Klong Luang 17 Moo 16
Tumbon Klong Neung, Amphor Klong Luang
Pathumthani 12120
Tel. 0 2516 3958
Fax. 0 2516 3946
E-mail
[email protected]
Website www.ttta.or.th
[1] Verblackt, B., “Thailand needs stronger enforcement of anti-tobacco laws “, in Citizen News Service, July 2011 available at: http://www.citizen-news.org/2011/06/thailand-needs-stronger-enforcement-of.html