Phuket Governor Narong Woonciew met with representatives from the Non-Smoking Campaign Foundation and the Phuket Smoke-Free News Center Network at an event held at the Royal Phuket City Hotel where a Memorandum of Understanding (MOA) was signed to enhance control measures relating to tobacco and e-cigarette access as part of the Phuket Education Quality Development Project.
Joining Governor Narong was Emeritus Professor Dr Prakit Vatheesatokkit, President of the Campaign for Non-Smoking Foundation and a qualified member of the National Tobacco Products Control Board; Dr Niti Hethanurak, Deputy Director General of the Department of Disease Control; Dr Chayanan Sitthibut, Director of the Tobacco Products Control Board Division; Chirawat Yusabai, Deputy Director of the Tobacco Products Control Board Division; and Chavala Phawaputanon Na Mahasarakham, Assistant Manager of the Campaign for Non-Smoking Foundation and the Phuket Smoke-Free News Center Network.
Dr Prakit Dr Niti Hetanurak delivered a lecture to attendees, who were predominantly school administrators and representatives of local government agencies. The lecture detailed key points to preventing and controlling what they referred to as the “e-cigarette pandemic among youths” that they hoped would help align Phuket with international standards on tobacco access and use.
Furthermore, the signing of the MoU would complement these efforts by engaging the cooperation of all relevant government agencies to align with the campaign to prevent all Thai people, especially children and youths, from becoming addicted to all forms of tobacco, including e-cigarettes, by imparting timely and accurate information on the potential dangers.
A strict ban on the sale of such products needs to be implemented by law enforcement and closely monitored, officials said, especially in regards to the access of e-cigarettes which have become very popular among youngsters in recent times.
If all sectors align and commit to this approach then it will contribute positively to the national agenda stipulated by government policy on the safe access and use of e-cigarettes, officials concluded.