Stories tagged with smoking
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Alternative cigarette too good to be true?
Anyone who has ever tried to give up smoking will know just how difficult it can be. Recently, smoking was banned in bars all over Thailand including the popular resorts of Krabi and Samui in an effort to get smokers to quit. However, this act seems to have made little difference, as does the raising of the cost of cigarettes, which has almost doubled in the last few months.
However, a new nicotine gel has just been released that might be the solution to many people’s problems. The gel can be rubbed onto the hands and suppresses the urge to smoke almost instantly. This is particularly good for areas where smoking is prohibited such as in cinemas.
Although this may seem like a miracle solution, not everyone is convinced.
Thailand Health Promotion Institute president Dr Hatai Chitanondh is concerned over the new gel. In a recent interview with The Nation he commented that: "The problem is that there is no research to confirm that this product is really safe. This is not a certified quit-smoking product. So, we need to monitor the product movement closely. Possible side-effects are higher blood pressure and faster heartbeat rate. Such side-effects could be dangerous in people who have underlying diseases.”
It seems we may have to wait a while to see how effective the nicotine gel really is.
Posted by: Andrew on 02 Jul 2009, 09:00 -
Thai hoteliers on smoking ban
The new ban on smoking in Thailand’s bars, pubs and nightclubs has been played down by Thai hoteliers.
General manager of Bangkok’s Siam Design Hotel and Spa, Sanya Saengboon, said that the hotel’s food and beverage restaurants and cafes were already smoke-free and separate smoking areas had been set up for guests who prefer to smoke.
He went on ‘The impact from the new smoking ban will be minimal. There have been no serious complaints about this so far,’ he said.
In Chiang Mai, general manager of Holiday Inn Chiangmai, Alan Watts, said that despite the new law probably not effecting the hotel’s food and beverage outlets, it may create an impact for the other indoor entertainment venues.
The new regulation to ban smoking in air-conditioned entertainment venues by Thailand’s Public Health Ministry is to begin in February. The new ban will also effect the popular Chatuchak outdoor weekend market.
The new regulation is in addition to the Public Health Ministry ministry’s ban on smoking in public areas including in hospitals, train and bus stations, and government buildings, and was imposed four years ago.
Hefty fines will be put into place for violators and venue owners, where violators will be fined 2,000 baht owners of nightclubs, pubs and bars 20,000 baht.
More on Health in Thailand
Posted by: Andrew on 31 Jan 2008, 11:18