SEATCA

The National Commission for Child Protection said Thursday that politicians had to ban the advertising of cigarette in movies.

"We demand that the House of Representatives insert an article in the bill on films banning cigarette promotions in movies," said Muhammad Joni, the vice chairman of the Commission. The Commission said the bill must forbid cigarette companies from sponsoring the production of films, ban scenes where actors are shown smoking and prevent companies from marketing tobacco brands in the film.

3/09/2009 The Office of the Attorney-General will decide on Oct 2 whether to charge the local arm of US tobacco giant Philip Morris over claims it evaded billions of baht in import taxes on its cigarettes.

The Department of Special Investigation yesterday gave the OAG the results of its investigation into allegations Philip Morris (Thailand) United Co Ltd under-reported the value of its tobacco imports and underpaid import taxes between 2003 and 2007. The DSI has also sought arrest warrants for four foreigners who are among 14 people sought for questioning. They are Paul Richard Dillman Jr, Ann Marie Kaczorowski, Hermann Waldermer and Matteo Lorenzo Pellegrini.