The Thai government plans to prohibit cigarette sales display and tobacco ads in stores in an effort to reduce the number of new smokers in the country, an official has said.

The ban is designed to protect the health of the public, especially youths and others who are attracted to smoking, the Thai News Agency quoted Deputy Director General Dr. Narong Sahamethapat of Disease Control Department of Thailand as saying Wednesday.

Dr. Narong said an estimate of 10 million Thais are cigarette smokers, while perhaps 100,000 others become smokers every year.

Adolescents have become a prime target for local and foreign cigarette manufacturers, he added.

The government's bans on cigarette sales display and tobacco ads at selling points will take effect on Sept. 24.

A survey conducted abroad recently showed the number of smokers dropped as much as 60 percent as a result of such bans.

Source: Xinhua