Maj Gen Dr. Rienthong Nanna, the director of Mongkutwattana Hospital located in Bangkok’s Laksi district, recently announced a rather unconventional method to curb smoking on his hospital premises. In a bold and somewhat controversial move, he declared plans to detain defiant smokers in “gas chambers” made from repurposed telephone booths until they fully inhale their cigarette smoke.
On a post made to his Facebook page this past Sunday, Dr. Rienthong revealed the hospital’s innovative use of phone booths that had initially been donated for Covid-19 screening between 2020 and 2022. These booths, according to him, will serve as disciplinary chambers for anyone caught violating the hospital’s strict no-smoking policy.
“In these innovative gas chambers, those who defy the smoking ban at Mongkutwattana Hospital can fully inhale the smoke from their own cigarettes. The smoke will not be released to the outside and annoy or harm the public but will ruin the health of the smokers themselves,” Maj Gen Dr. Rienthong wrote.
The booths will be ingeniously fitted with lock sensors that detect smoke. Once all traces of smoke have dissipated, the doors will automatically unlock, allowing the smoker to leave. This approach, as he explained, is aimed at protecting other visitors and patients from the dangers of secondhand cigarette smoke—a valid concern, considering how smoke from one area can spread through the building’s air-conditioning and ventilation systems, eventually reaching patient wards.
Maj Gen Dr. Rienthong has a history of taking extreme measures to enforce the hospital’s no-smoking policy. He made headlines recently for physically assaulting and forcibly stripping a teenager who was caught smoking within the hospital premises. His aggressive stance towards smokers has led to legal repercussions. Coincidentally, the teenager involved was reportedly found in possession of heroin during his visit, adding another layer of complexity to the incident.
“I will no longer slap ‘selfish’ smokers at my hospital,” Maj Gen Dr. Rienthong noted, emphasizing his shift from physical confrontation to his uniquely conceptualized “gas chambers.” This strategy, while contentious, underscores his commitment to maintaining a smoke-free environment and protecting the health of non-smoking visitors and patients alike.
The plan has generated a mix of reactions. Some view it as a creative and stringent way to enforce smoking bans, aiming to make defiant smokers face the immediate consequences of their actions without resorting to physical force. Others criticize it as an extreme, arguably inhumane method that could raise ethical and legal questions.
Whether you view these “gas chambers” as a stroke of creative problem-solving genius or a controversial overreach, one thing is clear: Maj Gen Dr. Rienthong Nanna is steadfast in his mission to uphold a healthy, smoke-free environment for his hospital.
This gas chamber idea is insane. It’s a hospital, not a prison!
It’s extreme, but maybe it will discourage people from smoking. Secondhand smoke is a serious issue.
Discomfort is one thing, but locking people up? There has to be a better way.
Oh come on, if people are breaking the rules, they deserve some sort of punishment.
Punishment, sure, but locking them in booths? Feels like overkill.
Classic case of a power trip. Guy needs to chill out!
Or maybe he just wants to protect patients from secondhand smoke. Ever think about that?
I get it, Marie. But this isn’t the way to do it. It’s draconian!
I actually think it’s a pretty genius way to enforce the rules without physical confrontation.
Bethany, what if someone has a panic attack in there? This isn’t right.
Better panic than lung cancer from secondhand smoke. Think about the bigger picture.
Bethany, have you been to Bangkok? The place is already full of pollution. This won’t solve anything in the long run.
If someone is caught with drugs, shouldn’t the focus be on that, not smoking?
Possession isn’t the core issue. Smoking in a hospital is just unacceptable.
I get it, Harold. But locking people up in booths? Where does this end?
True, but they need to tackle multiple issues at once.
Is this even legal? Sounds like something out of a dystopian novel.
I wonder if they got any legal advice before implementing this.
Even if it’s legal, it’s not ethical. Imagine the backlash.
People should just follow the rules. If you don’t want to be punished, don’t smoke in a hospital!
Dr. Rienthong is just trying to enforce a stricter policy for the good of all patients.
Stricter doesn’t have to mean inhumane. There are other ways.
Hospitals are places of healing, not punishment. This sends the wrong message.
Good intentions but bad execution. How about education instead?
Education doesn’t work for everyone, sadly.
True, Fiona, but you don’t need to lock people up to make a point.
I work in a hospital system, and trust me, secondhand smoke is a nightmare. Anything to stop it is worth it.
But Lucia, this solution is too extreme. What about the ethical implications?
If this is what it takes to keep patients safe, I support it.
Concentration camp vibes. Can’t believe people are okay with this.
That’s an over-exaggeration, Adam. It’s harsh, but not inhumane.
Disagree, Liz. Once you start locking people up, it’s a slippery slope.
Where are the human rights activists? This can’t be allowed!
While unconventional, it does highlight the dangers of smoking in public spaces.
This just feels like a publicity stunt more than an actual solution.