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Thai Cabinet bans smoking scenes on television |
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News
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April 26, 2000
BANGKOK, APR 25 (AP) - In an effort to protect children from the habit, Thailand's Cabinet on Tuesday banned scenes on television that show people smoking.
The ban, to be implemented by the Public Health Ministry in coordination with local television networks, will apply to both local and international programs. No starting date has yet been set.
"We have to prevent our children from the risk of smoking. As television is a powerful media with strong influence on our youth's behavior, the ban should be imposed," said Pan Peungsucharit, the deputy government spokesman.
Cigarette advertising in all Thai media was banned several years ago.
The Cabinet of Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai discussed the measure at its weekly meeting Tuesday and was aware the ban might contradict the constitution that enshrines the right to freedom of expression.
But protecting nation's youngsters is an adequate reason to legitimize the ban, Pan said.
A source at the sole local cable TV operator United Broadcasting Corporation, who spoke under condition of anonymity, said the company, which carries a number of international channels, was ready to follow the regulation.
UBC buys programs and films from many international networks such HBO, Cinemax and Discovery. It has alerted those companies about Thailand's new broadcasting regulation and would request scenes showing smoking be censored. Some scenes depicting sex or violence are already being cut.
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