Laos - possible smoking ban coming..

August 8, 2009 - Laos (Lao People's Democratic Republic (PDR)) would soon make lighting up more difficult with a ban on smoking in restaurants and inside public buildings, Radio Laos said Thursday, August 6th.

No date was set for implementing the ban in nearly all public places, but it would be soon, the state-run radio station said in a broadcast monitored in Bangkok.

Smoking is common among Laos' 6 million-plus people with both locally made cigarettes and imports available.

In another effort to get people to kick the smoking habit, the Ministry of Public Health started discussing increasing the tax on cigarettes in late 2008. That move was complicated because smuggling is common across Laos' borders with both Vietnam and Thailand.

Prevalence of current tobacco use among adults (>=15 years) (%) female = 15.6 (2005)
Prevalence of current tobacco use among adults (>=15 years) (%) male = 65.0 (2005)
Core Health Indicators the latest data from multiple WHO sources

More on tobacco use in Lao PDR..

Reference:
Laos to ban smoking in public places, MonstersandCritics.com, 8/6/3009.

Click on image to enlarge, Laos Coat-of-Arms. Stamp image from World Health Day, Campaign Against Smoking, April 7, 1992..