Doctors Oppose Anutin’s Move to End Alcohol-Tobacco Tax
Thai doctors are opposing a proposal by Prime Minister Anutin to eliminate the 2% surtax on alcohol and tobacco that finances the Thai Health Promotion Foundation. They warn the change would benefit only liquor and tobacco companies, increase government spending, and risk political influence, while undermining a globally admired health funding model. The draft law is open for public comment until October 14, 2026.
Professor Doctor Prachit Wathisathakorn, chairman of the Anti-Smoking Foundation, said the draft amendment to the Health Support Fund Act, open for public comment from September 30 to October 14, 2026, would abolish the 2% extra tax on alcohol and tobacco that now raises about four billion baht yearly for the Thai Health Promotion Foundation. He believes the move is being pushed by unnamed interests benefiting alcohol and tobacco companies, and warns that the government and public would lose while only industry gains, urging Anutin to withdraw the proposal. Associate Professor Worakorn Samakoset of the National Economic and Social Development Council added that the surcharge is an earmarked tax following global practice, designed to keep health promotion work independent of politics and regular budget pressures. Shifting the fund to annual appropriations would increase state expenditures and risk political meddling, contrary to the principle that polluters should pay. Both experts stress that many countries admire the Thai model and call for retaining the current tax structure.
