A number of health agencies are campaigning to turn the tourist islands of Koh Tao, Koh Samui and Ko Pha Ngan into smoke-free zones.
In a move to protect health and boost islands’ tourism image, the Thai Health Promotion Foundation, the Koh Samui municipality, and Action on Smoking and Health have urged authorities to consider a smoking ban.
About 50,000 Thais die each year from smoking related diseases said Action on Smoking and Health executive secretary, Prakit Vathesatogkit.
Health activists from the agencies have visited local communities and tourist centres to raise awareness of the ‘Islanders get together for no smoke’ campaign.
A major aim is to restore the tourism image of the islands following the widely publicized double murder of two UK backpackers on Koh Tao.
There is currently a non-smoker’s health protection act which regulates designated smoke-free areas in public places.
