The Ministry of Education in Thailand is looking to change its rules to categorize e-cigarettes as drugs, according to the ministry's permanent secretary, Suthep Kaengsanthia. The aim of the move is to prevent the rising use of e-cigarettes among students. Schools across the nation have been ordered to act against vaping on their properties.

 

However, it's unclear from the current plans which aspect of the 'e-cigarette' would be tagged as a drug. Is it the e-cigarette devices, the vaping liquids, or the nicotine in the e-cigarette liquids?

 

"We've changed our rules to list e-cigarettes under the banned category of narcotic drugs. There will be severe punishment for students found taking e-cigarettes to school, similar to the penalty for having illegal drugs,” says the minister.

 

The rule change is being examined by the Council of State, with the new law expected to take effect within a month. There are no more details available yet, and the effects on other e-cigarette users in Thailand are unclear. Could they face arrest because they are using a 'narcotic'?

 

Besides the proposed ban, the ministry has started a program to increase school safety. This involves working with local police, public health offices, and drug control agencies. The aim of this program is to shield students from various potential social risks around the time they leave and return home.

 

File photo for reference only. Courtesy of Google

 

-- 2024-05-23

 

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How ridiculous.
 

Are tobacco products, which are more dangerous, classed as drugs?  I think not.

 

Amazing how a certain someone came back, and now the dumb ass drugs war rhetoric is ramping up again....

Don't worry about it, this government will flip flop about this decision as it does about everything, look at the decision about the sub. weed. many more 

Amazing Thailand.. how will they deal with all Government officials, teachers, military, police offers that are vaping??  And tourist who vape are being jailed?? Good for the soft power to attrack more tourists. All being fired for using drugs??? Stupidity without borders 

Edited May 23, 20242 yr by ikke1959

Since when has it been the role of the Education Ministry to decide what goes on the list of prohibited drugs.

5 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

The Ministry of Education in Thailand is looking to change its rules to categorize e-cigarettes as drugs, according to the ministry's permanent secretary, Suthep Kaengsanthia.

 

Someone should tell this permanent secretary of the Ministry of Education that it is the Ministry of Public Health that has the authority and the duty to categorise drugs (medicines)

A good English translation of Thailand's Drugs Act is here:

 

tha181028.pdf

 

"Section 5. The Minister of Public Health shall have charge and control of the 
execution of this Act, and the power to appoint competent officials, issue Ministerial 
Regulations prescribing fees not exceeding the rates attached to this Act, granting fee 
exemptions and determine other operations for the execution of this Act."

 

Edited May 23, 20242 yr by Puccini
added text of Section 5

1 hour ago, Dogmatix said:

Since when has it been the role of the Education Ministry to decide what goes on the list of prohibited drugs.

 

Presumably, they're talking about rules withing schools.

Ignorant vapers who just blow the huge waft of vape smoke into the air without a thought of those around them is disgusting. 

 

The smoke that they emit is much more than a regular cigarette. 

Asinine. More lunacy from the corrupt leadership.

Insanity. Like banning a newly discovered fruit because burgers are bad for you. Would the powers that be, who are concerned about the increase in youth vaping, prefer that kids start smoking instead?

Ban them! They are being used and promoted in such a way to lure children into smoking. As a bare minimum this needs to be addressed. 
Let’s not kid ourselves, there is nothing healthy about this product. 

15 hours ago, anchadian said:

How ridiculous.
 

Are tobacco products, which are more dangerous, classed as drugs?  I think not.

 

By your logic, if guns are legal, then tanks and bombs (in the hands of citizens) should be. Right? Yes, I know guns are technically illegal in Thailand. All right, then if knives are legal then guns, tanks, and bombs should be, right? But you have to remember, the tobacco industry has immense unmeasurable wealth and is deeply entrenched. E cigarettes are relatively new and more easily controlled, and merchants are not as well organized with lobbyists and politicians. So if that particular scourge can be controlled, absolutely. We don't need kids getting addicted to anything, whether it's cigarettes or other nicotine products. Obviously you're a smoker and you sure wouldn't want anyone to take your filthy habit away from you. I know it's difficult, but see if you can wrap your mind around the foregoing. 

Does the fact that heroin is illegal stop people from using it? Nope. But is that a reason to actually tolerate and promote it? Absolutely not. There are a thousand different addictive poisons out there, if you can discourage even one it's worth it. These are kids, they deserve to be protected. E cigarettes are a scourge. Cigarettes are a scourge. Cigarette addicts are self centered pigs with no regard for people who don't want to breathe their toxic waste. We don't need to breed more of the same only with a different style of poison. 

6 minutes ago, Jonathan Swift said:

By your logic, if guns are legal, then tanks and bombs (in the hands of citizens) should be. Right? Yes, I know guns are technically illegal in Thailand. All right, then if knives are legal then guns, tanks, and bombs should be, right? But you have to remember, the tobacco industry has immense unmeasurable wealth and is deeply entrenched. E cigarettes are relatively new and more easily controlled, and merchants are not as well organized with lobbyists and politicians. So if that particular scourge can be controlled, absolutely. We don't need kids getting addicted to anything, whether it's cigarettes or other nicotine products. Obviously you're a smoker and you sure wouldn't want anyone to take your filthy habit away from you. I know it's difficult, but see if you can wrap your mind around the foregoing. 

Presumably you are a "vaper"?

15 hours ago, anchadian said:

How ridiculous.
 

Are tobacco products, which are more dangerous, classed as drugs?  I think not.

 

E-cigarettes banned but a quick puff behind the bike sheds is fine.

They just need to enforce the age limit like regular cigarettes or alcohol. Hold those who sell to underage kids accountable and fine them. Sure we know that some kids will find a way to get it, but that’s always been the case. The problem is no one enforces any laws here and they go to the extreme measures to try to fix the problem, but unfortunately that doesn’t work either. 

While there be warning notices at all entry points into Thailand that vaping is banned and could lead to a prison sentence (as it already can, by the way, but like all laws in Thailand there is no enforcement)? Just as a warning to ignorant tourists who might be stunned to discover that what they can do freely in their own country, buy vaping products in every high street or mall, could land you in hot water and offer an income opportunity for the local boys in tight brown uniforms.

Edited May 24, 20242 yr by Bangkok Barry

What’s next? Fried chicken  as fat burning medication ?

16 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

The aim of the move is to prevent the rising use of e-cigarettes among students. Schools across the nation have been ordered to act against vaping on their properties.

Nothing to do with the Thailand Tobacco Authority complaining that their profits are down, then.

7 hours ago, DonniePeverley said:

Ignorant vapers who just blow the huge waft of vape smoke into the air without a thought of those around them is disgusting. 

 

The smoke that they emit is much more than a regular cigarette. 

It’s not smoke.  It’s vapour.  Like steam!

Aren’t e-cigarettes illegal in Thailand anyway.   It was when I was last there in 2019! 🤔

12 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

Amazing Thailand.. how will they deal with all Government officials, teachers, military, police offers that are vaping??  And tourist who vape are being jailed?? Good for the soft power to attrack more tourists. All being fired for using drugs??? Stupidity without borders 

They are referring to students on school property.  

Sounds more like the Ministry of disinformation with a sprinkling from anti everything weirdos quoting severe punishishment for ecig possession 🤔

Worldwide, bureaucrats need to make new rules and laws to justify their existence. Ultimately, everything will be illegal. And then the world will be a perfect dystopia. 

The Thailand Tabacco monopoly strikes again...

What a heap of idiotic Scum idea...if you do that, than cigarettes are under same classification.... what's the difference ?   It all boil down to revenue in come.....They just do not know how to Tax on E-Cigi...afraid to loose heavy taxes on Cigi...Run out of ideas how to make excuses, So make wild elegation to avoid losses...blame it on others..just like the Big mouth Trump...when COVID started, death escalated in states...that fat "pig"  openly suggested blame it on E- cigarette....How "Low is Low" with these Scums.   If you understand the facts..It's clear..

Thailand's polluted air should also be classified as a dangerous drug breathed by all ages.

8 hours ago, DonniePeverley said:

Ignorant vapers who just blow the huge waft of vape smoke into the air without a thought of those around them is disgusting. 

 

The smoke that they emit is much more than a regular cigarette. 

its not smoke, stop posting incorrect information