Despite challenges from major tobacco companies, the Public Health Ministry is insisting that a move to enlarge the warning labels on Thai cigarette packages is, in fact, lawful.
The primary challenge to the new packaging law has come from the Thai Tobacco Trade Association, which includes such industry giants as Philip Morris and Japan Tobacco Inc. The Association argues that the move to enlarge the warning labels on cigarettes is unlawful and should be struck down by Thailand’s courts.
Currently, Thailand’s “aggressive” tobacco warning labels cover 55% of any given cigarette package. When the new law goes into effect, on December 31 of this year, the warning labels will expand to cover 85% of each cigarette pack.
The Bangkok Post reports that the Public Health Ministry has expressed its willingness to defend the new packing rules in court.
