Abstract
Background WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) was the first ever
global public health treaty under the auspices of the World Health Organization. The FCTC is the treaty
that emphasizes on the right of public health by providing a framework for tobacco control measures.
Thailand as the Party to the WHO FCTC has obligations to develop and implement national tobacco
control strategies, plans and programs in accordance with this Convention including Article 5.3 focusing
on protecting public health policies from commercial and other vested interests of the tobacco industry.
Objective To analysis and evaluation of the preparedness of Thailand to implement FCTC Article
5.3 and best practices in Canada, Philippines and Kenya.
Method Qualitative methods were employed for the study including: literature review and documentary
analysis and in-depth interview.
Results The findings are Thailand has some progress in implementing WHO FCTC Article 5.3, for
example, the Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health issued the regulation regarding
measures to limit interactions with the tobacco industry. The comparison studies of Canada, Philippine
and Kenya show that all of these countries have the best practices and more progress than Thailand in
some aspects. Thai government and Ministry of Public Health should revise laws, regulations and issue
some measures regarding WHO FCTC article 5.3, for example, the Regulation of Prime Minister’s Office
concerning the article 5.3 and propose new tobacco control law in order to set up the national tobacco
control board.
