Tax breaks and new legislation to promote health in Thailand
Thailand’s Ministry of Health is considering introducing tax incentives to promote healthy lifestyle choices as part of a campaign to combat noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) in Thailand. The approach would not only reward individuals who take preventive measures to manage their health, but also encourage food manufacturers to reduce the salt and sugar content of their products.
Non-communicable diseases, such as cancer, diabetes, and chronic respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, are responsible for an alarmingly high number of deaths in Thailand, at around 400.000 per year. The Ministry of Health sees an urgent need to take action and has developed an ambitious plan to reverse this trend. This plan includes the deployment of a network of as many as one million village health volunteers. They will play a crucial role in educating the population about healthier eating habits and lifestyle changes. The campaign, called “Eat Well”, aims to promote preventive health measures, which will reduce healthcare costs and improve public health in the long term.
Concrete plans and tax incentives
Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin has indicated that a comprehensive strategy is being considered, whereby health volunteers receive financial compensation. In addition, tax incentives for people who consciously choose their health are being seriously considered. This could encourage the Thai people to be more active in preventive health measures. The minister also indicated that discussions are underway with the National Health Service to include these measures in the national strategy for reducing NCDs.
New legislation in the making
Another key element of the strategy is the development of Thailand’s first-ever Non-Communicable Diseases Act. This legislation will focus on promoting good health practices and encouraging the food industry to market healthier products. The law is expected to provide tax incentives not only to consumers who choose healthier foods, but also to manufacturers who adapt their production processes to offer healthier options. This new legislation will be a key pillar in the government’s approach to reducing the prevalence of chronic diseases and limiting their economic impact.
With this broad approach, the Thai Ministry of Public Health aims to bring about lasting change in the health habits of the population, hoping that this will lead to a healthier society and reduce the enormous burden that NCDs place on the country's health care system and economy.
It is still just an idea but the starting point is to be welcomed. Although I wonder what tax advantages there could be for citizens since agricultural goods are exempt from VAT.
Besides, why reward the industry? Now I'm not really into regulation but when it comes to health care costs due to aging and the unhealthy lifestyle since the 90s, the costs are skyrocketing while the food conglomerates can happily continue producing junk.
If the government and parliament really care about the concerns, they should introduce a salt and sugar tax and set maximum requirements for these substances in products, otherwise it is a nice story that benefits the industry that already takes no responsibility.
Sugar tax or price increase: yes please. It really doesn't need to be as sweet as it is made here...
Be careful with the salt tax because it is mainly the TABLE SALT that is unhealthy because too many chemical products and MSG are added to compensate for the lack of taste of real sea salt or inland salt...
Seawater has 92 minerals, just like our body.
Himalayan salt has 75 minerals
Celtic salt (and Sel de Gerande) 82 natural minerals including 3 Magnesium salts (M.Chloride, Bromide + Sulphate) for extra energy for your heart, muscles and nerves.
This Celtic salt also contains natural Iodine, Calcium, Potassium, Magnesium
How to benefit best from the Celtic Salt?
Put a pinch of salt on your tongue.
Then, have a sip of water: 3 to 4x mornings
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What matters is that the will is there.
A toasted sandwich at PTT is salty, Knorr cubes have 47% salt and we can go on and on. Salt is not necessarily bad but per 100 grams of ready-made food a maximum amount of salt can be determined. And then the manufacturers just get to work with a combination of herbs. Food technology is not just about the name, is it? Salt is cheap and easy, but do not poison the people for the sake of money. And then some products just have to become more expensive. The extra tax can then be skimmed off for more useful things than the shareholders such as a pension fund. In the end it is a utopia and we will see where the ship will run aground.
Better late than not at all.
Someone has seen the light…