The Implementation Activist: How One Determined Person with a Camera Has Achieved Enforcement of Smoke-Free Laws throughout Thailand.

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  • Additional Information
    • Source:
      Publisher: Asian Pacific Organization for Cancer Prevention Country of Publication: Thailand NLM ID: 101130625 Publication Model: Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 2476-762X (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 15137368 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Asian Pac J Cancer Prev Subsets: MEDLINE
    • Publication Information:
      Original Publication: Bangkok : Asian Pacific Organization for Cancer Prevention,
    • Subject Terms:
      Political Activism* ; Smoke-Free Policy*; Health Plan Implementation/*methods ; Smoking Prevention/*methods ; Tobacco Smoke Pollution/*prevention & control; Adolescent ; Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Photography ; Smoking Prevention/legislation & jurisprudence ; Thailand ; Tobacco Smoke Pollution/legislation & jurisprudence ; Young Adult
    • Abstract:
      Background: Smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke are leading causes of disease and premature death in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where over 80% of smokers live. Over 152 LMICs, including Thailand, have passed laws designating that indoor and outdoor public spaces should be smoke-free. Throughout LMICs, implementation of laws has been a persistent problem. We identified one activist in Thailand who developed his own highly effective strategy for ensuring implementation of smoke-free laws, and whose approach has potential for being a model for implementation activists in other LMICs.
      Objectives: We set out to describe the implementation activist's strategy and impact, and to explore his perspective and motivations.
      Methods: We conducted in-depth interviews with the activist, reviewed video recordings and transcripts, and used narrative analysis to identify key themes and illuminating statements.
      Findings: In the implementation activist's assessment, administrators and officials were not being held accountable for their responsibilities to enforce laws, resulting in low public compliance. The activist developed his strategy to first identify public places where no-smoking signs were not posted and/or where people were smoking; take photographs of violations and make notes; and file citizen's complaints at police stations, submitting his photographs as evidence. The implementation activist documented over 5,100 violations of smoke-free laws throughout Thailand and reported violations to police. Often, police officers were unsure how to deal with his complaints, but when he educated them about the law, most undertook enforcement actions. The activist's work has contributed substantially to creating smoke-free schools, sports facilities and parks.
      Conclusion: This implementation activist's approach can be a model for preventing youth from using tobacco/nicotine, and preventing exposures to secondhand smoke and e-cigarette emissions. Based on his successes, we provide a list of elements that implementation activists can use to be effective, along with recommendations for policy and practice.
    • Contributed Indexing:
      Keywords: Activism; LMICs; qualitative; smoke-free; tobacco control
    • Accession Number:
      0 (Tobacco Smoke Pollution)
    • Publication Date:
      Date Created: 20211115 Date Completed: 20220218 Latest Revision: 20220218
    • Publication Date:
      20240104
    • Accession Number:
      10.31557/APJCP.2021.22.S2.19
    • Accession Number:
      34780135