P.M. BRIEFING : Thailand OKs Cigarette Imports
Under pressure from the United States, the Thai government agreed today to lift a ban on importing foreign cigarettes.
Cigarettes from outside Thailand will be subject to the same restrictions as local brands, deputy government spokesman Porntep Techapaiboon said. The imported brands will be equally taxed and must carry health warnings on the packages. All advertisements are banned.
Thailand had been under strong pressure from its largest trading partner, the United States, to lift the 10-year-old ban.
Late last year, the United States took the dispute to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, an international body that sets rules for trade. GATT ruled last month that the ban was illegal.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
