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Published on September 11, 2007

The ban will be enforced with stricter measures under a new ministerial regulation on other places - including non-air-conditioned areas in markets and restaurants.

All areas in state and private hospitals will also become no-smoking zones.

Public hearings held by the ministry showed overwhelming support for the ban in night entertainment venues. The new rules will be pushed through in the next three months.

The ministry will also launch other measures to reduce the number of smokers in Thailand, who number around 10 million. State assistance had been promised under a new ministry plan, Mongkol said.

Among the approved measures is the setting up of a state-run National Quitline - a move uncommon even in developed countries. The toll-free number  would be printed on all cigarette packs sold in Thailand.

Dr Hathai Chitanont, chairman of the Global Alliance On Cigarette Tariffs, said around a quarter of the 846 billion cigarettes produced each year vanished into black markets and were subsequently sold to smokers at lower prices.

The Nation