Jump to full article: Bangkok Post (th), 2009-11-12
Intro: Police and security guards have turned out in numbers to keep hundreds of anti-smoking activists at bay while protesting outside Tabinfo Asia 2009 at Impact Arena, Muang Thong Thani.
The tobacco industry's first major international exposition in years has drawn up to 3,000 participants from around the world. But it has also drawn widespread condemnation for promoting smoking in Asia.
About 650 people representing students, media professionals, academics and non-governmental organisations gathered outside the exposition in protest against its being held in Thailand.
They shouted "We don't want Tabinfo" and held placards with messages including "Stop Tabinfo" and "Stop the Merchandise of Death".
"Tabinfo Asia 2009 is a signal for the international community to understand that the tobacco industry will not stop brainstorming new strategies to lure new smokers, particularly youths and women," said Prakit Vathesatogkit, executive secretary of Action on Smoking and Health Foundation (ASH Thailand).
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