Thailand: Towards smoke-free residential buildings?

At a seminar organized by the Thai Health Promotion Foundation on November 24, 2020, several speakers advocated for a smoking ban in residential buildings across the country to reduce the risks associated with secondhand smoke.

On November 24, 2020, at a tobacco control seminar organized by the Thai Health Promotion Foundation1, several speakers proposed the implementation of a smoking ban in condominium buildings across the country[2].

Currently, Thai law only prohibits smoking in common areas of residential buildings, including lobbies and corridors.3].

A measure that would have positive consequences on the health and economic fronts

At the seminar, the Thai Tobacco Control Research and Knowledge Management Center[4], an arm of the Faculty of Medicine at Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University in Bangkok, called on condominium associations across the country to implement smoking restrictions in residential buildings to protect residents' health.5].

Dr. Sasitorn Taptagaporn, vice-dean of research and academic services at the Faculty of Public Health at Thammasat University in Bangkok, believes that Thai law should also move towards a complete ban on smoking in all condominium buildings across the country, to reduce the effects of secondhand smoke in these places.6]. Associate Professor at Mahidol University's Faculty of Public Health, Dr. Nipapan Kangsakulniti, said that non-smokers were exposed to secondhand smoke because smoke could seep in through cracks or be blown out by ventilation systems.7].

Furthermore, based on a study carried out in the United States, Dr Nipapan Kangsakulniti stated that the introduction of a smoking ban in condominium buildings would reduce the maintenance costs of these buildings by almost 5 billion baht, or around 130 million euros.8Such a ban would also have the effect of reducing the risk of fire.

Proposals validated by the results of a university study

The proposals made during this seminar are based in particular on the results of a study conducted by Thammasat University from September to October 2020[9]. Of the 1,204 residents surveyed, 77 % indicated that they sometimes smelled their neighbors' cigarette smoke, including when they were in their rooms, even though only 15 % of them declared themselves smokers. More singularly, 89 % of those surveyed said they were in favor of a total ban on smoking in condominium buildings and other residential spaces.

Dr. Sasitorn Taptagaporn welcomed the results of the study: “They contain positive elements that can contribute to powerful anti-smoking campaigns to respect and protect the health rights of non-smokers.”10]. He further urged the country's condominium associations to implement smoking restrictions now, with the hope that "when such condominium regulations become more widespread, the Thai government will consider national legislation and sanctions to enable the effective implementation of smoke-free multi-family housing."11].