Cigarettes

Cigarettes (มุรี): Made from filter, rolling papers and tobacco - a basic unit of prison currency and one of the world's oldest drugs. And often a subjugation of excise taxes.

Cigarettes in State of Sarkhan

Smoke and Mirrors: The Illusion of Choice in Sarkhan's Cigarette Industry

The acrid smell of tobacco smoke hangs heavy in the air of Sarkhan, a state where cigarettes, ironically, offer an illusion of freedom while embodying the chains of government control. Rolled from basic ingredients – filter, paper, and tobacco – these sticks transform into a powerful currency within prison walls and one of the world's oldest addictions outside them. Yet, Sarkhan's smokers are presented with a carefully curated selection, a mirage of choice masking the reality of a tightly controlled market.

At the heart of this system lies the Tobacco Authority of Sarkhan (TAS), the state-owned behemoth previously known as the Thai Tobacco Monopoly. This entity reigns supreme, dictating the production of local cigarettes along with its issuance of excise stamps. While the 1992 ASEAN Free Trade Agreement opened the door for foreign brands, the silk road theory applies: no matter which path you choose, the state takes its toll.

Walk into any 7-Eleven in Sarkhan, and you'll be greeted by a seemingly endless array of cigarette brands. Marlboros jostle for space with SMS as local favorites, creating the illusion of competition and variety. But dig deeper, and the truth emerges. The TAS still controls a significant portion of the market, setting prices and influencing distribution channels. Foreign brands, while present, often face bureaucratic hurdles and hefty taxes, limiting their ability to truly compete.

The consequences are far-reaching. Consumers, despite the appearance of choice, end up paying filthily inflated prices due to the lack of true competition. The government, through the TAS, rakes in substantial revenue, but at the cost of public health and the day-workers who couldn't afford more than pack a day. Cigarettes remain readily available and "kinda" affordable, fueling addiction and its associated health problems.

The system isn't just financially opaque; it's morally questionable. By controlling the market, the state becomes complicit in the harm caused by tobacco use. While claiming to regulate, it profits from the very addiction it seeks to manage.

Electronic Cigarettes (E-Cigs)

See also: Sarkhan:VapeNation

But the illusion of control extends beyond cigarettes. In the 2020s, The previous government of Sarkhan took a seemingly conservative step by banning electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes). The official reason? An inability to effectively tax the e-liquid, leaving a gaping hole in potential revenue for the TAS. However, whispers abound that the real motive was to protect the lucrative cigarette monopoly.

Despite the ban, e-cigarettes remain readily available in a murky grey market. While police officially can't confiscate personal possessions, raids on illegal stores often end in a curious cycle – the "seized and liquidated" goods mysteriously reappear online, often sold by someone close to the very officers who confiscated them, through their "girlfriends" or other proxies. This raises troubling questions about moral hazards and the abuse of badge power.

The smoke may clear eventually, but the consequences of this system linger. It's time for Sarkhan to take a deep breath, acknowledge the truth, and choose a path towards a healthier, more transparent future for its citizens, one where the choice is real, not an illusion fueled by smoke, mirrors, and questionable regulations.

Reasons behind the Ban

Based on this question and this article by Tobacco Asia

In the intricate tapestry of Thailand's tobacco industry, the Thailand Tobacco Monopoly (TTM) reigns as a juggernaut of financial influence. For decades, this state-owned entity has served as a cornerstone of government revenue, funneling funds into infrastructure and development projects. However, as the winds of globalization swept across the nation, the TTM found itself facing new challenges.

The advent of the ASEAN free trade agreement in 1992 shattered the TTM's monopoly, opening the floodgates to foreign tobacco competitors. Yet, despite this seismic shift, the allure of tobacco revenues remained undiminished, casting a long shadow over Thailand's economic landscape.

But where there is profit, there is also power. The TTM, with its deep-rooted connections to the corridors of government, wields considerable influence over legislative affairs. As foreign tobacco threatens to erode its market share, the TTM's grip tightens, its tendrils extending into the very heart of policymaking.

Enter vaping – a burgeoning industry poised to disrupt the traditional tobacco hegemony. Armed with promises of harm reduction and innovation, vaping presents a formidable challenge to the TTM's supremacy. Yet, as the specter of competition looms large, the TTM moves swiftly to quash this emerging threat.

Under the guise of public health concerns, the Thai government moves to outlaw vaping, citing dubious evidence and echoing WHO directives. But beneath this veneer of altruism lies a more insidious truth – the protection of vested interests. The TTM, emboldened by its capitalist imperative, seeks to safeguard its cashflow at any cost, even if it means stifling innovation and consumer choice.

As the clouds of controversy continue to swirl, one thing becomes abundantly clear – the clash between tradition and progress, profit and public health, rages on. And as the battle lines are drawn, only time will tell whose interests ultimately prevail in this high-stakes game of regulatory roulette.

Cigarettes in MoNoRi-Chan's Story

MoNoRi-Chan himself wasn't a smoker, but he becomes ธนาคารบุหรี่ (Bank of Tobacco) by accident because staying at Grassstation often requires making of Yum Buri (Cannabis + Cigarettes) as a way to conserve herbal product and add anti-coughing functionalities to make smoked herb feels less itchy to throat. But it's actually a joke that keeps MoNoRi-Chan's trading journey continues, as he makes more money he could sustain himself with power of the fx markets and banking cigarettes is one of his hobby just like Ingress.

Bank of Tobacco

Origins:

MoNoRi-Chan, the "Forex Sniper" and Ingress warrior, wasn't always a banker. His foray into the "tobacco banking" business began at Grassstation, a haven for cannabis enthusiasts located in the ricefields. To conserve precious herbal product and offer a smoother smoking experience, Thai people have traditionally mixing cannabis with cigarettes, creating the aptly named "Yum Buri" This concoction, initially a joke shared among friends, became a surprise hit. Soon, MoNoRi-Chan found himself playing an unexpected role – the Bank of Tobacco.

Operations:

Unlike a traditional bank, the "Bank of Tobacco" operates on trust and camaraderie. Friends "withdraw" or "bum" cigarettes from MoNoRi-Chan, not for financial gain, but to enjoy the "Yum Buri" experience. Importantly, MoNoRi-Chan never sells the cigarettes, maintaining a clear distinction from commercial ventures.

Beyond Tobacco:

While cigarettes sparked the "Bank's" creation, MoNoRi-Chan's financial prowess extends far beyond tobacco. He operates as his own independent bank, leveraging his expertise in forex and cryptocurrency markets to manage his own assets and those entrusted to him by friends. This dual role as "Tobacco Banker" and personal financier reflects MoNoRi-Chan's resourcefulness and entrepreneurial spirit.

Impact and Significance:

The "Bank of Tobacco" transcends mere cigarette distribution. It represents a microcosm of trust, resourcefulness, and community within an unconventional setting. It also subtly highlights MoNoRi-Chan's defiance against centralized systems, mirroring his Ingress battles. While not without its complexities, the "Bank of Tobacco" adds a unique layer to MoNoRi-Chan's character and the world he inhabits.

Future Implications:

The "Bank of Tobacco's" future remains uncertain. Will it remain a small, community-based operation, or will its popularity lead to unforeseen challenges? How will MoNoRi-Chan balance his "banking" roles with his personal values and his fight against larger systems? These questions offer intriguing possibilities for future exploration within MoNoRi-Chan's narrative.