Development of a law enforcement mechanism to restrict access to cigarettes for high school students in Saraburi Province under the Tobacco Products Control Act B.E. 2560

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to develop a model and evaluate the law enforcement mechanism to restrict access to tobacco products by high school students in Saraburi Province. Based on the epidemic situation of e-cigarettes among young people and gaps in the enforcement of the Tobacco Products Control Act B.E. 2560 (2017), this research uses a mixed research method divided into 4 phases: 1) Studying the situation and factors of smoking among students, 2) Studying the distribution behavior of entrepreneurs, 3) Developing an operational mechanism model, and 4) Evaluating the developed model. The results of the Phase 1 survey from a sample of 414 students found that the current smoking rate is 12.3 percent, with e-cigarettes being the most popular (45.1 percent). 71.9 percent have never been audited in the past year. The research in Phase 3 is the development of a Tripartite Collaborative Mechanism and 3-Strategy Driving Model (TCM3SD Model). The government and civil society. In surveillance, immunization, and building a coalition in the community. Results of the Phase 4 Assessment in the Experimental Area It was found to be extremely effective, reducing the proportion of shops selling cigarettes to young people from 45.8 percent to only 8.4 percent (p<.001) and statistically significantly modifying the risky behavior of entrepreneurs. It is therefore an effective mechanism to close the law enforcement gap and create an environment that protects youth from access to tobacco products at the community level.