The country's 13 year-old ban on tobacco advertising has been an example of the historic Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), which in 2005 became international law.
Thai health officials are closing loopholes that had been identified and exploited by tobacco corporations like Philip Morris/Altria through "point-of-sale" advertising at 7-Eleven and other retail stores.
Corporate Accountability International Executive Director Kathryn Mulvey says, "By explicitly including point-of-sale advertising in Thailand's tobacco advertising ban, Thailand is taking another bold step to defend people from dangerous actions of corporations like Philip Morris/Altria.
She continues, "Thailand's success in standing up to Big Tobacco laid important groundwork for the global tobacco treaty, which will now move other countries to implement their own tobacco advertising bans."
Philip Morris/Altria has a powerful commercial interest in the convenient store chain's continued violation of the ban.
Health officials submitted repeated complaints to local authorities regarding 7- Eleven's non-compliance two months ago, but no action has been taken. The company has been breaking the ban for years.
Dr. Hatai, one of the authors of Thailand's advertising ban and the country's negotiator for the global tobacco treaty says, "Law enforcement may have turned a blind eye to 7-Eleven's irresponsible actions because of its tremendous economic and political clout."
The global tobacco treaty, which became international law earlier this year, includes a ban on tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship.
Over 115 countries which includes more than 70% of the world's population have ratified the treaty, which became known as the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.
