|
|
 |
 |
AN EPISODE TO REMEMBER
by Dr. Arthit Ourairat, Ph.D
Minister of Science, Technology and Environment, Thailand
Recipient of the WHO Tobacco or Health Medal 1996
During my 21-month term as Minister of Public Health of the Royal Thai Government (under H.E. Prime Minister ChuanLeekpai's premiership) from September 1993 to July 1995, I had ventured into many challenging tasks with several restraining forces both internally and externally.
There is one incidence I always remember.
Only a month after I was appointed Health Minister, a group of health advocates led by Dr. Hatai Chitanondh, and Prof. Prakit Vatheesatokit, Dr. Chuchai Supawong and members of the Rural Doctors Association approached me for rigorous political support against cigarette consumption. They were among the pioneers who worked tirelessly for the promulgation of the Tobacco Product Control Act B.E. 2535 (1992) and Non-Smoker's Health Protection Act B.E. 2535 (1992). Their conscientious and continuing campaigns to promote an increase of excise duty for cigarettes for health reasons had failed and they therefore, requested me to work through the Cabinet based upon 3 assumptions that should there be a considerable increase in the excise duty:
: : the volume of cigarette sales will decrease considerably;
: : even though cigarette consumption may decrease, the amount of excise duty to be received by the State will not decrease;
: : the number of young people who give up smoking will increase.
With about two decades of experience in managing a group of private hospitals and high education institutions I have come to realize the extremely negative impact of cigarette smoking upon people's health, most particularly among children, youth and women. This concern, coupled with the supportive data and information concerning actual application of legal measures for controlling cigarette consumption at regional and global levels made me totally committed to present this proposal to the Cabinet.
At that time, the position of my party (Liberal Democrat Party), in the coalition government was far from being prominent for we had only eight seats in parliament. Even though we had firm back-up in terms of technical information and support from the medical profession, there seemed to be a strong argument from the finance sector that the increase of excise duties for cigarettes might affect the sales and decrease government revenue. Local and overseas cigarette manufacturers were naturally strong opposers of the proposal. They attempted, through every possible way to maintain their stance through a series of negotiating meeting and counter communications. I used to joke with the pioneer group that should the proposal be turned down by the Cabinet, there might be an early Cabinet reshuffle!
Luckily, there was quite a strong support from the public, the press and lobbyists at that critical period and the Cabinet finally accepted the proposal, with full consent from the Finance Ministry. In December 1993, a Finance Ministry declaration stipulated an in-crease of excise duty rate for cigarettes from 55% to 60% with an annual increase in accordance with inflation rates. To prove that the political support was justified and the health objectives were satisfactorily met, a survey on cigarette consumption was made by the Ministry of Public Health in July 1994. Cigarette sales had reduced considerably at around 4.8 million packs per month. Meanwhile, the revenue from the excise tax rose by an average of Baht 261.5 million per month. This may be because of the increase of cigarette prices and the volume of foreign cigarette imports which had not declined. It was also estimated that with the in-crease in cigarette prices, around 200,000 young people under 25 years gave up smoking. However, based upon demand analysis, the increase of product prices affects the consumer's decision only in a short period. Cigarette sales will increase again as there has not been a continuing increase of excise tax. After this first at-tempt there have been subsequent increases in excise tax for cigarettes from 62% to 68% and then to 70% in the years 1995, 1996, and 1997 respectively, but mainly for financial reasons.
Thailand maybe the only country in the WHO South East Asia Region which has a comprehensive tobacco control policy backed by legislation. We may be successful in evacuating the killing fume from our offices, hospital and public places. But there is a long way for us to win the battles, both internally and externally.
While we still have the Thai Tobacco Monopoly (TTM) as sizeable tobacco manufacturers which continue to provide job to local farmers and make large profit for the government and the volume of cigarette import has not decreased considerably our road toward success is still rough. I must admit that we sometimes express our will indistinctively or hesitantly or "pood mai tem park" due to such situation.
As a firm believer in the strength of the people I think that citizen empowerment and armament with sheer knowledge on tobacco and health will be the key toward long-term success and should be the main theme of our fight for tobacco free society. Enactment of laws or active participation of all concerned sectors is just complementary strategies which did have their own limitations. I once came across an Ethiopian proverb cited by Dr. Uton Muchtar Rafei, Regional Director of WHO/SEAR which reads, "When spider web unite, they can tie up a lion". We have to do just that.
Signed:
Arthit Ourairat, Ph.D.
Minister of Science, Technology and Environment
Recipient of the WHO Tobacco or Health Medal 1996
Article published in the 3rd issue the "Lifeline"
WHO quarterly newsletter on Tobacco and Alcohol issues
|
|