Current Rates of Smoking and Cigarette Use in Thailand

Cigarette use continues to be an epidemic in Thailand. Government complacency in the face of the cigarette epidemic protects the cigarette industry in Thailand as the death toll grows each year. Proponents of healthier societies must push for the implementation of evidence-based best practices in cigarette control to create change and reduce the negative effects of cigarette use.

How many people die from smoking in Thailand each year?

In Thailand, smoking-related diseases are a significant public health issue, with approximately 50,000 deaths each year attributed to smoking. This includes deaths from illnesses such as lung cancer, heart disease, stroke, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which are directly linked to smoking. The Thai government and health organizations continue to implement measures to reduce smoking rates, including public awareness campaigns, smoking cessation programs, and stricter tobacco control policies.

As of 2024, the smoking prevalence in Thailand continues to be a significant public health issue, although there has been a steady decline over the past few decades. Currently, about 19.4% of the adult population in Thailand are smokers, which translates to approximately 11.1 million people. Among them, 38.2% are men, while only 1.9% are women, highlighting a substantial gender disparity in smoking rates.

Despite these declines, tobacco use remains the third highest risk factor contributing to the burden of disease in Thailand. Each year, around 81,521 people die from tobacco-related illnesses, underlining the need for continued and strengthened tobacco control measures. Although the overall smoking rate has dropped, youth smoking rates have recently shown signs of rising, which poses a significant challenge for future public health efforts​

Smoking and Cancer in Thailand

Smoking is a primary factor in about 90% (or 9 out of 10) of all lung cancer deaths in Thailand. Notably, lung cancer claims more lives among Thai women each year than breast cancer, reflecting the severe impact of smoking on women’s health.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

Smoking is responsible for around 80% (or 8 out of 10) of all deaths from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in Thailand. This disease severely impairs the quality of life and leads to prolonged suffering among those affected.

Increased Risk of Death from All Causes

Cigarette smoking increases the risk of death from all causes in both men and women in Thailand. The habit contributes to heart disease, stroke, respiratory infections, and numerous cancers, making it a major health risk for the population.

Rising Risk Over the Decades

The risk of dying from cigarette smoking has risen over the past decades in Thailand, reflecting both the increase in smoking prevalence and the long-term impact of tobacco on public health. Despite efforts to reduce smoking rates through policies and public health campaigns, smoking remains a critical issue that continues to endanger lives across the nation.

Negative Effect of Cigarette Use in Thailand

Cigarette use harms both the public and fiscal health of Thailand, threatening efforts to improve equity, alleviate poverty, and protect the environment.

• Societal Harms: The economic cost of smoking in Thailand is 192,742,260,736 baht. This includes direct costs related to healthcare expenditures and indirect costs related to lost productivity caused by illness and premature death.
• Harms Development: Cigarette spending diverts funds from the resources that families need to rise out of poverty. On average in Thailand, a smoker must spend 2.69% of GDP per capita to buy 100 packs of the most popular cigarettes in a year.
• Environmental Harms: Cigarette butts are the most commonly discarded pieces of waste worldwide. It is estimated that 8,399 tons of butts wind up as toxic trash in Thailand each year, equal to 2,400 female African elephants.
• Harms Health Equity: The cigarette industry markets its products aggressively to lower-income populations and youth in Thailand.
• Harms NCDs: Not only is smoking a major risk factor for the 4 largest noncommunicable diseases (cancer, heart diseases, respiratory diseases, and diabetes), but people living with mental illness are nearly 2x as likely to smoke as other individuals.

Quitting Smoking: A Healthier Choice

Quitting smoking is a crucial step towards better health. No matter how long you’ve been smoking, it’s never too late to make a positive change.

Looking for a less harmful alternative? Consider snus. At Haypee, we offer high-quality Swedish snus that can help you reduce your nicotine intake.

Discover how snus can be a part of your healthier lifestyle.