A recent report on cancer prevention trends in the United States has delivered both hopeful and concerning findings: while smoking rates continue their historic decline, vaccination rates against human papillomavirus (HPV)—a leading cause of cervical and other cancers—have stalled. This research carries important lessons for Thailand, where cancer remains a leading cause of death and where public health campaigns must juggle both familiar and emerging risks (CNN, 2025).
The continued drop in smoking rates is seen as a major victory for US public health. Decades of anti-smoking campaigns, policy changes, and increased public awareness have pushed adult smoking rates in the US to all-time lows. Globally, the World Health Organization (WHO) points to similar downward trends in high- and some middle-income countries, though progress is uneven. In Thailand, while smoking rates have decreased somewhat—especially among women and urban youth—a significant portion of the male population still uses tobacco products. According to the Ministry of Public Health, about 17% of Thais over 15 are smokers, higher than the current US adult smoking rate of around 11% (Thai National Statistics Office, 2023; CDC, 2024). This positions the new US numbers as benchmarks for Thai policymakers, especially as tobacco-related cancers continue to challenge the country’s healthcare system.
But the same report highlights a serious public health setback. Immunization rates for HPV among US adolescents have plateaued, raising fears of preventable cancer cases in the years to come. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the percentage of teens up to date on HPV vaccination has not increased significantly in the past few years, despite recommendations that all children receive the vaccine by age 13 (CDC, 2023). The CNN report echoes concerns from American public health experts that misinformation, vaccine hesitancy, and pandemic disruptions may have eroded progress.
The implications for Thailand are immediate and relevant. Cervical cancer, primarily caused by persistent HPV infections, is the second most common cancer among Thai women. The Kingdom launched its national HPV vaccination program for girls in 2017, aiming to replicate successes seen in countries like Australia and the UK, where vaccination dramatically reduced HPV infection rates and pre-cancerous lesions. Early results in Thailand are promising, but coverage remains uneven—particularly outside Bangkok and in remote provinces. Disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic also set back vaccination rates, and lingering misconceptions about vaccine safety still circulate among parents and on social media (BMJ Global Health, 2022). Experts urge that boosting public confidence through clear communication, school-based vaccination drives, and engagement with local leaders is essential if Thailand hopes to prevent thousands of avoidable cancer cases in the coming decades.
Prominent voices in both the US and Thailand are sounding the alarm about complacency. “Progress on cancer prevention must never be taken for granted,” said Dr. Karen E. Knudsen, CEO of the American Cancer Society, in response to the new figures. “The drop in smoking rates is a testament to what is possible through coordinated effort—but rising rates of vaccine-preventable cancers threaten to undermine decades of gains.” Her caution is echoed by Dr. Wiput Phoolcharoen, honorary president of the Thai Society of Clinical Oncology, who told the Bangkok Post, “Thailand needs to learn from both the successes and the missed opportunities abroad. We have made progress on tobacco, but HPV vaccination is our next big mountain to climb.”
Cultural and historical context helps explain the unique challenges within Thailand. Traditional norms and taboos around sexual health often make conversations about HPV—transmitted by intimate contact—awkward or even unwelcome, especially in rural communities. Nevertheless, attitudes are slowly changing. Campaigns featuring respected female public figures and respected teachers (ครู) have helped normalize discussion around the HPV vaccine, but more work remains to address misinformation spread online, sometimes by anti-vaccine groups with global reach.
Looking toward the future, the US experience offers a dual lesson for Thailand. Aggressive policies, public education, and tobacco taxation work in driving down smoking rates, but keeping up momentum on newer preventive measures like HPV vaccination requires constant vigilance. Thai public health leaders may benefit from adapting American strategies—such as using national media, family doctors, and trusted school officials to deliver consistent health messages—to ensure that every child, regardless of geography or background, gets protected against preventable cancers.
For Thai readers, the practical takeaways are clear. Parents should consult their doctors (หมอ) or local health clinics to ensure that their children are up to date on all scheduled vaccines, including HPV. Adults who smoke or use tobacco can find free counseling and support through Thailand’s national Quitline (สายด่วนเลิกบุหรี่ 1600). Policymakers should continue pursuing evidence-based interventions, strict enforcement of tobacco controls, and inclusive communication around modern vaccines. Both trends—declining smoking, but uneven vaccine adoption—underscore the power of public engagement and the danger of complacency in cancer prevention.
As Dr. Wiput Phoolcharoen summarized, “If we want a future where preventable cancers become rare in Thai society, we must keep learning, adapting, and reaching every community—ไม่ว่าจะอยู่ที่ไหนในประเทศไทย.” Readers are encouraged to get informed about cancer risks and prevention options, talk openly with healthcare providers, and help spread accurate information in their communities.
Sources: CNN, CDC Smoking Statistics, Thai National Statistics Office, BMJ Global Health, CDC HPV Vaccine Guidelines