Smoking ban to be thoroughly enforced

PHUKET TOWN: The Phuket Public Health Office (PPHO) confirmed yesterday that a sweeping new national law that bars smoking in most public places will be strictly enforced in Phuket from November 8. PPHO health expert Somboon Aiyarak told a conference at the Provincial Hall that, with few exceptions, smoking will be banned in most public places, including cinemas, schools, hospitals, sports stadiums and telephone booths. It will also be prohibited in shops, restaurants, night clubs and all public transport equipped with air conditioning. “Any shops or club owners who ignore the rule will face a 20,000-baht fine. Smokers will be fined 2,000 baht,” K. Somboon said. He said it would be good for the health of smokers and the people around them and added, “We expect that the number of smokers will decrease rapidly.”