Warning: Non-communicable diseases claim 400,000 Thai lives annually; e-cigarettes identified as a new risk factor
The National Health Commission Office (NHCO), in collaboration with the Thai Health Promotion Foundation (ThaiHealth) and the Health Intervention and Technology Assessment Program (HITAP), held a forum to discuss the management of commercial determinants of health, emphasizing the situation of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), which are currently a major problem in Thailand.
Recent data indicates that NCDs, such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer, are the primary cause of death for as many as 400,000 Thais per year. This is an alarming figure that significantly impacts the country's public health system. These diseases are often caused by inappropriate lifestyle behaviors and exposure to risk factors in the surrounding environment.
During the forum, the issue of e-cigarettes was raised as a new risk factor that warrants close attention. Experts noted that the widespread use of e-cigarettes among the younger generation and the general public is becoming a significant catalyst for lung and heart health issues, which could lead to an increase in the number of NCD patients in the future.
Relevant agencies are therefore accelerating policies to manage commercial determinants of health in order to reduce access to products that are harmful to health. They are also campaigning for the public to adjust their behaviors to prevent diseases at the source, aiming to reduce medical expenses and improve the quality of life for Thai people in the long term.