The Thai government is intensifying its crackdown on vaping, reinforcing that possession or sale of e-cigarettes can lead to severe legal consequences, including up to 10 years in prison and heavy fines. The move follows Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s decisive stance against vaping, despite her earlier support for its legalization during the election campaign.
In response to the growing use of e-cigarettes among Thai teenagers, authorities have launched nationwide operations targeting vape vendors and importers. This comes after MP Chorayuth “Tonkla” Chaturapornprasit was caught vaping inside Parliament, drawing public attention to the issue.
Digital Surveillance and Online Bans
As part of its enforcement strategy, the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society, led by Deputy Prime Minister Prasert Chantararuangthong, has been actively monitoring and blocking vape-related online activities. Key actions taken include:
- Blocking over 9,500 URLs that promoted or sold e-cigarettes.
- Removing 285 posts from online vape sellers and 93 posts from buyers.
- Deploying social listening tools to track and shut down digital sales channels.
Severe Legal Consequences for Violators
- Authorities have reiterated the strict penalties for those involved in vaping, covering vendors, buyers, and importers:
- Selling vapes or vape juice: Violates the Consumer Protection Act, punishable by up to three years in prison or a fine of up to 600,000 baht.
- Buying or possessing vapes: Violates the Customs Act, punishable by up to five years in prison or a fine equal to four times the product’s value.
- Importing vapes: Punishable by up to 10 years in prison or a fine equal to five times the product’s value.
- Vaping in public: Results in a fine of up to 5,000 baht, under the Tobacco Product Control Act.
Public Reporting and Enforcement App
To further combat illegal vaping, the government is encouraging the public to report vendors and users through the Tang Rath (ทางรัฐ) application. The app allows users to:
- Report offenders by submitting details, including location and images.
- Track the progress of their reports through the platform.
With these stringent measures, Thailand is taking one of the most aggressive stands against vaping in Southeast Asia, aiming to curb its spread, especially among the youth.
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