Anti-tobacco advocates in Thailand are celebrating after the government signed off on regulations that will require graphic health warnings to cover 85% of cigarette packets.

They’ve also accused the tobacco industry of misleading tobacco farmers in Asia about the effects that tobacco control will have on their ability to make a living.

While smoking rates have been declining in the West, they’ve been increasing steadily in much of South East Asia and public health advocates are determined to break Asia’s deadly habit.

Graphic health warnings already appear on cigarette packets in Thailand, so does the size of the warning on a packet actually make a difference to smoking rates?

To listen to the radio interview please click

Presenter: Joanna McCarthy

Speaker: Dr. Prakit Vathesatogkit, Secretary General, Action on Smoking and Health, Thailand