“A Comparative Analysis between Present and Future Tobacco Related Health Care Costs” in Thailand

Abstract

This study provides policy makers with a long-term health care cost impact analysis comparing individual and government health care cost of smoking related diseases to government tobacco related revenue based on data collected September 2003 – February 2004.The researcher calculated the health care cost (both direct and indirect) of 3 major diseases, (lung cancer, coronary heart disease, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The results from this study confirmed that health care cost of smoking related diseases is increasing. Therefore, both individuals and government will have to bear this burden. The study showed trends that the health care cost of these 3 diseases is higher and exceeds the government revenue from tobacco products in the year 2006 through 2007 and is expected to continue increasing in the future. It clearly shows that government revenue from taxing tobacco consumption is not sufficient to cover all smoking related diseases (SRD). In addition, the results from this study are intended to encourage the government to tax more tobacco to cover the costs associated with smoking and, at the same time, to pinpoint the financial problems that might occur from the consequences of tobacco consumption and how the government should enforce strong policy and planning for future well being of the Thai population.