File photo for reference only

 

The Thai Cabinet has ordered an urgent overhaul of the Tobacco Act to regulate e-cigarettes. This move aims to control the rapid rise of nicotine addiction, especially among the youth. Existing legislation will be amended to introduce comprehensive measures, addressing both traditional tobacco and emerging products like e-cigarettes.

 

The decision follows alarming statistics from the National Statistical Office in Thailand revealing that the number of Thai citizens aged 15 and over using e-cigarettes skyrocketed from 78,252 in 2021 to over 400,000 in 2024. The Ministry of Public Health is now responsible for drafting these legislative changes. The new regulations will cover production, import, sale, advertisement, and use, targeting both physical and online markets.

 

A significant campaign will be launched to raise awareness about the dangers of vaping, providing "accurate and comprehensive information" to children and young people. This initiative aligns with the Cabinet's adoption of WHO FCTC Article 5.3, which aims to prevent interference from the tobacco industry in policy-making. A Prime Minister's Office Regulation is also being fast-tracked to support this.

 

Deputy government spokesperson Airin Phanrit highlighted concerns about severe nicotine addiction among the youth, pointing to health risks such as potential damage to adolescent brains, increased depression, and e-cigarette-linked pneumonia cases. The Ministry of Public Health and other government bodies will consult on finalizing recommendations, considering the impact of online sales and targeted marketing strategies aimed at adolescents.

 

The Cabinet requires a report on the necessary legal and operational changes within 30 days. This initiative reflects a concerted effort to address health and social consequences arising from increased e-cigarette usage in Thailand.

 

Key Takeaways

• Thailand amends Tobacco Act to regulate e-cigarettes urgently.
• Youth vaping numbers rose sharply to 400,000 in 2024.
• Comprehensive measures target production, sales, and online platforms.

 

Related stories:

Vietnam Urged to Revamp Tobacco Tax Policies to Combat Rising Affordability

Strengthening Enforcement Over Tax Reductions in Illicit Tobacco Trade Fight

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Nation 2025-10-29

 

 

E-cigarettes are already illegal.

 

So are they talking about legalizing and regulating them instead of banning them? Perhaps they've finally worked out it is better to tax and regulate than to outright ban? 

How can you regulate illegal and not allowed e cigarettes?.. Maybe make them legal first with only availanle from 18 up, than you can fine the younger ones. Besides it is insane that cigarettes are legal as they are far more harmful than the e cigarette

10 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

How can you regulate illegal and not allowed e cigarettes?.. Maybe make them legal first with only availanle from 18 up, than you can fine the younger ones. Besides it is insane that cigarettes are legal as they are far more harmful than the e cigarette

That's what I was thinking - they're already illegal, why waste time regulating? It's like regulating murder.

11 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

it is insane that cigarettes are legal as they are far more harmful than the e cigarette

 

Agree.

13 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

A significant campaign will be launched to raise awareness about the dangers of vaping, providing "accurate and comprehensive information"

This will be a first. Let's hope sane heads prevail on this and actual independent scientific "accurate and comprehensive information" is sought. As for "The new regulations will cover production, import, sale, advertisement, and use, targeting both physical and online markets." I do wonder what this will look like.  

11 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

it is insane that cigarettes are legal as they are far more harmful than the e cigarette

I disagree. It's insane that vaping is illegal when tobacco is legal. I do agree, however, that cigarettes are more harmful.

2 hours ago, HappyExpat57 said:

That's what I was thinking - they're already illegal, why waste time regulating? It's like regulating murder.

Why waste time regulating? Murder? Are you serious. Vapes are widely available online. My guess is murder isn't.

19 minutes ago, dinsdale said:

Why waste time regulating? Murder? Are you serious. Vapes are widely available online. My guess is murder isn't.

Heavy sigh ... why waste time replying to you?

It's an exaggeration, buddy.

7 minutes ago, HappyExpat57 said:

Heavy sigh ... why waste time replying to you?

It's an exaggeration, buddy.

Your comment implies you want vapes to continue to be illegal. I disagree. Regulation sure as long as it's considered regulation.

1 minute ago, dinsdale said:

Your comment implies you want vapes to continue to be illegal. I disagree. Regulation sure as long as it's considered regulation.

I think it's an insidious and dangerous product. And murder for hire can be found, particularly after what's-his-name pardoned the Silk Road felon.

7 minutes ago, HappyExpat57 said:

I think it's an insidious and dangerous product. And murder for hire can be found, particularly after what's-his-name pardoned the Silk Road felon.

Alcohol, tobacco and vapes all have dangers to one extent or another. Only one is illegal. This is about tax not health.

This is lawless Thailand.

 

Regulations are purely pro forma. Utterances to the Press regarding any subject are merely to stroke their ego and make it sound as though they care - just like in the West.

 

Next they'll probably make motorcycle crash helmets compulsory. 

14 minutes ago, Gsxrnz said:

This is lawless Thailand.

 

Regulations are purely pro forma. Utterances to the Press regarding any subject are merely to stroke their ego and make it sound as though they care - just like in the West.

 

Next they'll probably make motorcycle crash helmets compulsory. 

I think something will happen when it comes to vapes. Will things get better or worse is the question. Vapes are widely available online since they closed down the shops. The penalty for vaping is insane yet people are vaping and this is undeniable. Prohibition doesn't work.

"...revealing that the number of Thai citizens aged 15 and over using e-cigarettes skyrocketed from 78,252 in 2021...." 

Who counted them so precisely? Miracle upon miracle in Thailand.

3 hours ago, watchcat said:

 

Agree.

Welcome to 'Amazing Thailand', where logic flies out of the window!

Notice the thumb down troll is at it again. Get rid of the anonomyzer AN.

16 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

The Thai Cabinet has ordered an urgent overhaul of the Tobacco Act to regulate e-cigarettes. This move aims to control the rapid rise of nicotine addiction, especially among the youth. Existing legislation will be amended to introduce comprehensive measures, addressing both traditional tobacco and emerging products like e-cigarettes.

E-cigarettes are illegal, so the RTP should do their job, get out on the streets and shut them down.

The cyber crime mob should close down online sites that sell them, and ban all imports.

As for real cigarettes price them out of fashion.

They are terrified that they will lose the revenue from the declining sales from the tobacco industry - Seems like money again trumps health when it comes to the Thai Tobacco Monopoly.

4 hours ago, dinsdale said:

I disagree

This seems unlikely, since you appear to in fact agree with everything! 

58 minutes ago, Vlada Floric said:

again trumps

Please do use such vulgar words:-) !! 

1 hour ago, hotchilli said:

E-cigarettes are illegal, so the RTP should do their job, get out on the streets and shut them down.

The cyber crime mob should close down online sites that sell them, and ban all imports.

As for real cigarettes price them out of fashion.

Why??? 

2 hours ago, dinsdale said:

Only one is illegal.

Only one??? Which is that? 

2 hours ago, HappyExpat57 said:

I think it's an insidious and dangerous product.

What is, and why, please? 

3 hours ago, dinsdale said:

Vapes are widely available online. My guess is murder isn't.

Well, you guess wrong!

It would Seem that you have just not looked at certain corners of the web … 

8 minutes ago, Unamerican said:

This seems unlikely, since you appear to in fact agree with everything! 

Please do not truncate my post to such an extent as to change the context. This is against forum rules.

5 minutes ago, Unamerican said:

What is, and why, please? 

Stop trolling.

I don’t smoke or vape what I do know is most countries around the world allow it ,by banning it Thailand is losing out on millions of baht if they legally allowed it  they could introduce a tax on it !!!

17 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

the number of Thai citizens aged 15 and over using e-cigarettes skyrocketed from 78,252 in 2021 to over 400,000 in 2024

How incredibly out of touch they are. 

@newbee2022

 

You have posted 10 thumbs down emojis on this thread.

 

 

If you strongly disagree with what’s being posted, it would be more constructive to share your opinion directly, rather than using a “cartoon” approach. Please keep this in mind and apply it going forward.