Thailand Tobacco Monopoly

The main mission of Thailand Tobacco Monopoly, Ministry of Finance, has to deliver revenue for national development, while TTM also recognizes the social and environmental responsibility continuously. Therefore, we help promote activities and projects that are socially beneficial, in terms of better quality of life, public health and wellbeing, education, sports, religion, art and culture, charity, and natural and environmental conservation. Subsequently, TTM’s vision is to be a leading organization with social and environmental responsibility, committed to manufacturing products with international standard quality certified by ISO 9001:2000, satisfying all requirements of consumers and stakeholders. With good corporate governance, TTM operates with social and environmental responsibility, full awareness among all employees of proper care for society and the environment in a concrete and sustainable manner. Details follow:

Quality and environmental-friendly tobacco leaves

Supporting the project to build energy-saving flue curing barns during the 2009-2011 Fiscal Years for 726 Virginia tobacco planters, resulting in lower costs, reduced use of fuel, complete fuel combustion, lessened pollution to the environment, less deforestation, increased labor saving, reduced loss in dry leaves, etc., as well as possible additional income from curing contracts for other crops. During the 2009 Fiscal Year, 183 planters were supported.

Supporting the project to promote and develop air curing barns (Burley type) during the 2009-2010 Fiscal Years for 756 Burley tobacco planters, resulting in curing barns with standard quality capable of control humidity, temperature and ventilation throughout all curing steps turning out quality leaves. During the 2009 Fiscal Year, 56 planters were supported.

Both projects are appropriate in terms of social and environmental responsibility in line with TTM policy to support activities and projects beneficial to society, help promote the career of agriculturists under our umbrella, create good image for the organization and promote the development of better tobacco leaves.

Research and Development

- The test laboratory for tar and nicotine content in cigarette smoke has been properly accredited for its test competency under the ISO/IEC17025-2005 created through co-operation between the International Organization for Standardization and International Electrotechnical Commission to establish general stipulations on the competency of calibration or test laboratories putting them at the same standard performance. Accredited laboratories can be confident that their calibration and test reports are accurate within the scope of accreditation.

- The Research and Development Laboratory of TTM, Ministry of Finance, has been accredited with ISO/IEC 17025-2005 ensured its tests reliable, beneficial to the organization, customers and stakeholders and helping reduce test-based conflicts. It is a part of TTM’s quality policy to return confidence to society.

- The development of residue tests by the QuEChERS procedure: The Thai tobacco leaf export industry is currently suffering from the problem of the overuse of insecticides and pesticides, whereby tobacco leaves are found to be rich in toxic residues over and above the export standard levels of USDA, FDA, etc. Moreover, social responsibility of the business sector has pushed business organizations to be more aware of social and environmental problems, in addition to profit-making, with more national and international parties giving an increased priority to this issue. This is because businesses can operate sustainably only when the economy, society and environment are doing well, while all government and private parties concerned with production and quality control and inspection must put their heads together to work out standard operational policies and guidelines on toxic residue control and inspection.

TTM, involve in tobacco leaf production, has a policy to procure and produce high-quality tobacco leaves without toxic residues and it is thus necessary to find measures to accommodate this policy. Trainings to provide farmers with knowledge and control on insecticides and pesticides, including the types of banned chemicals, utilization procedures and correct amounts of use, etc. as well as surveillance and inspection of toxic residues on tobacco leaves. The development of test methods by the QuEChERS procedure is another measure to help increase the potential for detecting residues, both insecticides and pesticides which increase every year, along with testing speed, in order to cope with the rising number of samples. The information obtained is used for planning actions to prevent, control and solve problems arising from the incorrect use of insecticides and pesticides on a long-term basis.

Marketing

TTM builds up awareness and adjusts consumer behavior to respect rights and help conserve the environment through the Green World for Green Smile project, whereby smoking hubs have been built 1 hub at the Bangkok Bus Terminal (Sai Tai Mai), another one at Hua Lamphong Railway Station and 2 hubs at Impact Exhibition and Convention Center at Mueang Thong Thani, while a total of 110 smoking stands have been set up at various bus terminals and exhibition centers.

Environmental Conservation

TTM supports various important environment-oriented projects, as follows:

Young Environment Protectors Project

To instill environmental conservation awareness among youths, enhance outdoor learning experience, build up the habit of giving and sharing with others and provide youths with opportunities to help create a vibrant society and sustainable environment, particularly in needy communities, 200 students from 50 schools in 50 districts of Bangkok Metropolis and 4 community students took part in a project to plant 770 trees on the World Environment Day (June 5, 2009) in Ban Hup Moei community, Nakhon Nayok Province.

7 Days 7 Ways to Protect Our Earth Project

So that the Thai people are aware of the negative impact of global warming, TTM joins hands with movie theaters in the Sahamongkol Film (SF) Group and 7 star celebrities, in showing spots on 7 ways to help reduce global warming at 80 SF cinemas.

Green Guide Book Project

To build awareness of the importance of global warming reduction, 16,000 Green Guide Books have been published for distribution to the public for use in their daily living activities.

Wildlife and Natural Ecosystem Conservation Project

In line with Her Majesty the Queen’s command to conserve and restore forest and wildlife resources in the adjoining area between 5 eastern provinces, a free concert “Forest Protectors” has been organized to provide knowledge along with entertainment and increase public awareness of forest conversation and creation of balance between man and forests, our natural heritage, so they remain the country’s valuable assets for a long time to come through sustainable development.

Social responsibility

Social responsibilities are provided in various ways, as follows:

Education:

Scholarships, educational buildings, books and educational equipment are provided, along with support for educational promotion activities for schools and institutions. Academic community projects and learning in a virtual world on the website: WWW.SKOOLBUZ.com (2009-2011 Fiscal Years).

Sports

The Government has a policy for state enterprises to support sports activities under the 1 Sport 1 State Enterprise Project. Consequently, TTM supports the Swimming Association of Thailand within our support for 3 years (2009-2011 Fiscal Years) with a budget of 15 million baht per year.

Public Health

Mobile medical units are dispatched to serve the people. Ambulances are donated to needy hospitals. Medical equipments are given out to support health-related projects and activities.

Religion

Support for religious activities such as robe offerings, construction and improvement of permanent structures for all religions, etc.

Social welfare

Support for the solution of problems along the southern border under the “Ruam San Fan Dap Fai Tai” Project, with educational assistance for the children of officials who died in the 3 southern border provinces. Provision of winter blankets for cold weather sufferers and survival bags for flood victims in several areas. Support for social and quality of life development projects in communities along Moon River in Ubon Ratchathani Province (2007-2009 Fiscal Years).

Art and culture

Support for the promotion of works of art, tradition and culture in provincial areas and communities.

On His Majesty’s charity works

Continuous monetary donations to several the Royal projects.