“We remain confident that Thailand’s parliament will legalise and regulate vaping”

[webfact]

PHOTO: Vaping remains illegal in Thailand

 

By Peter Roche

Contrary to comments made by Thailand’s public health minister Anutin Charvirakul last Friday, when he said legalising vaping and e-cigarettes would be ‘impossible’, the Director of Ends Cigarette Smoke Thailand has released a statement today that they were confidant that legalisation of these products would go ahead…

 

As published…

 

“We remain confident that Thailand’s parliament will legalize and regulate vaping once the likely May General Election has been held. The issue is simply too big to ignore and the science too compelling,” says Asa Saligupta, Director of ECST (ENDS Cigarette Smoke Thailand).

 

“The authorities seem keen to remind visiting tourists that vaping remains illegal in the Kingdom. However, that doesn’t mean it’s always going to be that way. We continue to make good progress behind the scenes,” says Mr. Saligupta.

 

He says Tobacco Harm Reduction (THR) advocates and consumer groups such as ECST are working with government officials. Together, with public health experts, they know exactly what needs to be done to address Thailand’s smoking epidemic.

 

“This work has been several years in the making. It hasn’t stopped. In fact, draft vaping legislation awaits Thailand’s parliament to debate and ratify. Realistically though, the General Election will take precedence.”

 

The ECST Director says most politicians and the public remain supportive of lifting the country’s failed vaping ban.

 

“I remain fully confident that safer nicotine products will be regulated in Thailand. Regulation will give consumers better protection, encourage more smokers to quit deadly cigarettes, and ensure we have much better control over youth vaping with a strict purchase age,” he says.

 

ECST says the likes of ThaiHealth have sadly got into the ear of the Public Health Minister.

 

“Any claim that driving vaping underground will protect the youth is absolute rubbish. The way to protect young people is to introduce strict regulations to kill off a lot of the black market, deliver a minimum purchase age, and introduce product safety standards. That’s how you protect the youth,” says Mr. Saligupta.

 

ECST says smoking kills about 50,000 Thai people every year.

 

“If we want to substantially reduce smoking-related illnesses and premature deaths, we must lift Thailand’s harsh ban and penalties on vape products. It’s simply not working. As many countries have proven, it’s time to stop listening to the World Health Organization’s (WHO) anti-vape campaign,” he says.

 

In fact, nearly 70 countries have now adopted regulatory frameworks on safer nicotine products, leading to dramatic declines in their overall smoking rates.

 

“As a reformed smoker, vaping has saved my life. I and other THR advocates are not giving up – it’s just too important. Legal and regulated access to e-cigarettes is long overdue. This is life and death public policy,” says Asa Saligupta.

 

ECST is a member of CAPHRA (Coalition of Asia Pacific Tobacco Harm Reduction Advocates).

 

“Thailand will get there thanks to the sheer weight of scientific evidence and the hard work of THR advocates like ECST. They’ve been incredibly patient, but that will run out if the next government ignores the experts and widespread public opinion. Thailand’s smokers must have a legalized, safer alternative,” says Nancy Loucas, Executive Coordinator of CAPHRA.

 

Last Friday Thailand’s public health minister laid out reasons he maintained that vaping would never become legal in Thailand and the importation of vaping and e-cigarette products would remain prohibited. He also asked the commissioner of police to continue the crackdown on the use of e-cigarettes and prosecute the people selling these items.

 

Source: https://phuket-go.com/phuket-news/national-news/we-remain-confident-that-thailands-parliament-will-legalise-and-regulate-vaping/

 

-- © Copyright Phuket GO 2023-02-28

 

- Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here.

 

The most versatile and flexible rental investment and holiday home solution in Thailand - click for more information.

[Pique Dard]

15 minutes ago, webfact said:

“We remain confident that Thailand’s parliament will legalize and regulate vaping once the likely May General Election has been held

...i guess so! after all, is vaping more dangerous than  smoking cannabis which is no longer prohibited? i don't think so, but I don't know, as  don't indulge in  either of them, indeed!

[ikke1959]

If it will takes as long as the Civil partnership Bill/Gay marriage it can take a few more years.... Such a very slow working Government and no feeling with the needs of the Thai people...

[wombat]

  people don’t realise that they’re effectively smoking the chemicals in antifreeze with about 500 different flavours

[paulbrow]

Just for my 2 cents worth, vaping got me off a 50 yearlong smoking habit. Once I eliminated cigarettes, my ability to breath improved dramatically. The vaping with only nicotine entering my lungs improved my ability to breath almost immediately. I was able to quit vaping much more easily than any of my repeated attempts to stop cigarettes. Of course, this was spurred on by Thailand making it very difficult to obtain my vaping products. Today my respiratory health is tremendously improved and personally I owe it all to vaping. Once Thailand recognizes the number of income streams that vaping could establish for the Kingdom, I fully expect vaping will be legalized.

[Mickeymaus]

5 minutes ago, paulbrow said:

Just for my 2 cents worth, vaping got me off a 50 yearlong smoking habit. Once I eliminated cigarettes, my ability to breath improved dramatically. The vaping with only nicotine entering my lungs improved my ability to breath almost immediately. I was able to quit vaping much more easily than any of my repeated attempts to stop cigarettes. Of course, this was spurred on by Thailand making it very difficult to obtain my vaping products. Today my respiratory health is tremendously improved and personally I owe it all to vaping. Once Thailand recognizes the number of income streams that vaping could establish for the Kingdom, I fully expect vaping will be legalized.

But vaping is not here for health purposes. It is here to create as many addicted customers as possible to get their money. As always with drugs. Some people will make a fortune and others will suffer. But it is the same with alcohol, sex, gambling and... It is just one more thing.

[mommysboy]

2 hours ago, paulbrow said:

Just for my 2 cents worth, vaping got me off a 50 yearlong smoking habit. Once I eliminated cigarettes, my ability to breath improved dramatically. The vaping with only nicotine entering my lungs improved my ability to breath almost immediately. I was able to quit vaping much more easily than any of my repeated attempts to stop cigarettes. Of course, this was spurred on by Thailand making it very difficult to obtain my vaping products. Today my respiratory health is tremendously improved and personally I owe it all to vaping. Once Thailand recognizes the number of income streams that vaping could establish for the Kingdom, I fully expect vaping will be legalized.

It's a familiar tale- I've read it perhaps a hundred times. There's no doubt vaping is a health boon for hardened smokers. It's just the selling of nicotine (a mild narcotic) to youngsters in strong fruity flavors that also creates a public health concern. Regrettably we don't know the long term health consequences. 

 

Thailand won't legalize e-cigs imo, it'll just become less illegal over time- long term expats will know what I mean by this.

[JonnyF]

2 hours ago, paulbrow said:

Just for my 2 cents worth, vaping got me off a 50 yearlong smoking habit. Once I eliminated cigarettes, my ability to breath improved dramatically. The vaping with only nicotine entering my lungs improved my ability to breath almost immediately. I was able to quit vaping much more easily than any of my repeated attempts to stop cigarettes. Of course, this was spurred on by Thailand making it very difficult to obtain my vaping products. Today my respiratory health is tremendously improved and personally I owe it all to vaping. Once Thailand recognizes the number of income streams that vaping could establish for the Kingdom, I fully expect vaping will be legalized.

Same here. I switched from Cigarettes to Vapes, then quit vapes.

 

The good thing about Vapes is that you don't have to smoke a whole cigarette every time you need a puff or two. You can just have a single puff when you really need it and put it back in your pocket, making it easier to cut down on intake and eventually quit.

 

Banning them is insane. They should legalize them, tax them, and regulate the quality of the product to ensure it is as safe as possible. 

[hotchilli]

8 hours ago, webfact said:

“We remain confident that Thailand’s parliament will legalize and regulate vaping once the likely May General Election has been held. The issue is simply too big to ignore and the science too compelling,” says Asa Saligupta, Director of ECST (ENDS Cigarette Smoke Thailand).

Since when did common sense prevail in Thailand?

[superal]

3 hours ago, JonnyF said:

Same here. I switched from Cigarettes to Vapes, then quit vapes.

 

The good thing about Vapes is that you don't have to smoke a whole cigarette every time you need a puff or two. You can just have a single puff when you really need it and put it back in your pocket, making it easier to cut down on intake and eventually quit.

 

Banning them is insane. They should legalize them, tax them, and regulate the quality of the product to ensure it is as safe as possible. 

Thanks to you and Paulbrow . I would like to try to do the same . I know that the vape holder can be bought here in Thailand but what concerns me is the vape liquid , inasmuch as who made it and where was it made ( Chineses back street tin shack ?) .  I believe that vaping in the UK and other countries will be safer , with licenced vape liquid manufacturers . Can a vape company be recommended to sourse the vape in Thailand ?

[redwood1]

7 minutes ago, superal said:

Thanks to you and Paulbrow . I would like to try to do the same . I know that the vape holder can be bought here in Thailand but what concerns me is the vape liquid , inasmuch as who made it and where was it made ( Chineses back street tin shack ?) .  I believe that vaping in the UK and other countries will be safer , with licenced vape liquid manufacturers . Can a vape company be recommended to sourse the vape in Thailand ?

This is a BIG BIG problem with vaping......There are HUGE variations in E-juice quality from very good to very bad........Even when vaping was sort of legal in Thailand it was a challenge even then to find good juice........Now I bet its really hard.....

[JonnyF]

19 hours ago, superal said:

Thanks to you and Paulbrow . I would like to try to do the same . I know that the vape holder can be bought here in Thailand but what concerns me is the vape liquid , inasmuch as who made it and where was it made ( Chineses back street tin shack ?) .  I believe that vaping in the UK and other countries will be safer , with licenced vape liquid manufacturers . Can a vape company be recommended to sourse the vape in Thailand ?

Unfortunately I wouldn't know.

 

I quit when it was still semi-legal/undecided, there were lots of online sellers back then with recognized brands. I'm still not sure you could guarantee the quality back then TBH, could have been fake.

 

That's the problem with banning things, it just continues, but unregulated.  

[carlyai]

19 hours ago, superal said:

Thanks to you and Paulbrow . I would like to try to do the same . I know that the vape holder can be bought here in Thailand but what concerns me is the vape liquid , inasmuch as who made it and where was it made ( Chineses back street tin shack ?) .  I believe that vaping in the UK and other countries will be safer , with licenced vape liquid manufacturers . Can a vape company be recommended to sourse the vape in Thailand ?

You can buy these vape thinggies that you just put in the raw cut gunja and use it. Not cheap, about $300 Aus.