The Thai government is set to intensify measures against e-cigarette smokers, who could face charges for possessing smuggled products, a spokesperson stated.
Officials have escalated efforts to suppress e-cigarettes and their related items, targeting not only smugglers and sellers but also users, according to deputy government spokesman Anukul Prueksa-anurak.
“E-cigarette smokers can be prosecuted for receiving smuggled products,” Mr. Anukul said.
According to the Customs Act, this violation could result in a prison sentence of up to five years and/or fines amounting to four times the value of the smuggled products plus applicable taxes.
Despite the illegality of e-cigarettes in Thailand, they continue to be sold openly, even close to schools, which has significantly increased vaping among the youth. The recent hospital admissions of teenagers with lung damage highlight the growing concern.
A study conducted by Ramathibodi Hospital showed that vaping-related illnesses cost approximately 306 million baht in medical treatments last year, Mr. Anukul revealed.
These conditions include chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, stroke, heart attack and asthma.
He added that the rate of vaping among individuals aged 15-29 escalated from 5.8% in 2019 to 12.2% in 2024.
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has recently mandated a stringent clampdown on e-cigarettes, focusing particularly on online sales.
Following the initiation of this crackdown two months ago, there has been a significant reduction in both sales and e-cigarette usage, plummeting over 80%, Mr. Anukul reported.
