A network of e-cigarette users in Thailand is urging the new government to reevaluate the country's e-cigarette ban. Official statistics reveal that the number of users has surged from approximately 78,742 in 2021 to about 900,000 in 2024, despite the longstanding prohibition. The group argues that the ban has not curbed usage but instead driven it underground, complicating regulation and safety efforts.

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The call for policy review follows reports that Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul is preparing to endorse a new Cabinet lineup. Asa Saligupta, representing the network and a former parliamentary committee member on e-cigarette legislation, highlighted the ineffectiveness of the current ban. He argued that the significant rise in users under strict laws demonstrates the persistent consumer demand and the state’s inability to regulate the market effectively, including in terms of product quality and youth access.

Saligupta emphasized the dangers of the unregulated market, comparing it to controlled substances like cigarettes and alcohol that have clear legal frameworks. The illicit market poses increased public health risks as the government struggles to verify product standards and prevent youth access. Despite numerous crackdowns, there is no evidence that arrests and seizures have decreased the number of users, according to the network.

Looking ahead, the network advocates for the government to design a more effective policy based on data. They suggest that bringing e-cigarettes under state regulation could mitigate societal harm. A special House committee previously examined the ban's impacts and concluded that legalizing and regulating e-cigarettes was a widely supported option, reported The Thaiger.

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  Adapted by ASEAN Now · The Thaiger · 25 Mar 2026

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Seems twisted logic. Should be make hard drùgś legal now?

Yes, everyone has a divine right to stink up the street and blow vapour in everyone's faces.

And the apple scented, nicotine fumes add to the atmosphere in bars and malls.

Vaping should only be allowed inside your own home and only for the purpose of quitting cigarettes. Why can't the vapers see that they look ridiculous like giant babies sucking their pacifiers? For me personally Nicotine patches worked just fine, when I quit smoking 30 years ago.

You are taking on the Thai Tobacco Monopoly which reserves for itself the right to poison and pollute in Thailand.

7 minutes ago, Thingamabob said:

You are taking on the Thai Tobacco Monopoly which reserves for itself the right to poison and pollute in Thailand.

I’ve been waiting to see when they have a vape brand of their own. Then it’ll be legalized. 🙄

I believe it to be an excellent tool for quitting cigarettes. No ashtrays, no butts.

It’s a “cleaner” deliverer of nicotine and many liquids are completely odourless when exhaled. There is no combustion, hence no tar lining the lungs.

Admittedly it would be best not to smoke/vape at all, but for those who do, I believe vaping to be a lot cleaner as well as somewhat less hazardous to the user.

I am truly for the regulation of vapes and liquids, just as it is all over Europe and the US. Even Dubai started legalising and regulating vapes around 9 yrs ago. Malaysia as well, a few years ago.

The NHS did, perhaps still do - hand out vapes free of charge to those who wished to quit smoking cigarettes. As far as places to vape, should be same as tobacco products.

So yes, regulate and make sure liquids are from reputable companies.

1 hour ago, Kinnock said:

Yes, everyone has a divine right to stink up the street and blow vapour in everyone's faces.

And the apple scented, nicotine fumes add to the atmosphere in bars and malls.

No, no one has that right, neither is that being asked for...

If people want to vape, smoke cigarettes or dope - go for it - just do it out of the way of others.

So, you have a point - but you over egged it with silly emotion - just like drinking, do whatever you are doing sociably - don't impact others - thats basic SOP for decent people.

I don't smoke, I don't vape - but the anti-vape laws in Thailand are just silly - just like the gambling laws - it creates an artificial attraction.

People should be allowed to vape, smoke, use drugs, refuse vaccinations, ride motorcycles without helmets, etc., if that is their wish, although we know that these often lead to hospital stays. Yes, there should be restrictions on ‘where’ some of these may be done,

BUT…The people who choose these should not be allowed to take up the hospital beds needed for those who are NOT harming themselves daily. And certainly not in free government hospitals.

Let Darwin deal with them.

2 hours ago, CecilM said:

Seems twisted logic. Should be make hard drùgś legal now?

How exactly is the logic twisted?

Vapes are less harmful than cigarettes, as confirmed by multiple studies. Cigarettes remain legal and available.

Vapes containing harmful substances are clearly dangerous and the cause of most immediate medical cases. Since they are currently sold in a black market, nobody is controlling or checking the e-liquids for these harmful substances.

It's a no-brainer, really: legalise them with strict quality controls and let adults choose themselves which method they wish to use for inhaling nicotine.

What's the bet instead of taking the sensible route toward regulation there'll be some sort of massive crackdown on the black market. Not sure how they'll do it because it's everywhere online but my guess is they'll go down the crackdown path not the regulation path. Hope I'm wrong.

This is the main reason

The Tobacco Authority of Thailand(TOAT) (Thai: การยาสูบแห่งประเทศไทย; RTGS: Kan Ya Sup Haeng Prathet Thai) , is a Thai state enterprise and the sole legal entity permitted to produce tobacco products in the country, mostly cigarettes.

As of 14 May 2018, the Thailand Tobacco Monopoly was corporatized as the Tobacco Authority of Thailand. According to the Tobacco Authority of Thailand Act 2018 as announced in the Royal Thai Government Gazette, the act allows TOAT to set up limited companies or public companies related to TOAT's business. These companies are permitted to have foreign shareholders hold up to 49 percent of total company shares. TOAT can also hold shares in other companies if relevant to TOAT's business

In 2016 TTM revenues were more than 72 billion baht (US$2.1 billion). In fiscal year 2017, TOAT reported revenues of 68,176 million baht, total assets of 27,797 million baht, net profit of 9,343 million baht. It contributed 62,577 million baht to the Thai treasury.

Vaping cuts them out completely — no TTM product sold, no excise tax collected, double revenue stream gone. It's not a health argument, it's a cash flow argument dressed up as one.

On 3/26/2026 at 9:42 AM, snoop1130 said:

A network of e-cigarette users in Thailand is urging the new government to reevaluate the country's e-cigarette ban. Official statistics reveal that the number of users has surged from approximately 78,742 in 2021 to about 900,000 in 2024, despite the longstanding prohibition. The group argues that the ban has not curbed usage but instead driven it underground, complicating regulation and safety efforts.

Get today's headlines by email

The call for policy review follows reports that Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul is preparing to endorse a new Cabinet lineup. Asa Saligupta, representing the network and a former parliamentary committee member on e-cigarette legislation, highlighted the ineffectiveness of the current ban. He argued that the significant rise in users under strict laws demonstrates the persistent consumer demand and the state’s inability to regulate the market effectively, including in terms of product quality and youth access.

Saligupta emphasized the dangers of the unregulated market, comparing it to controlled substances like cigarettes and alcohol that have clear legal frameworks. The illicit market poses increased public health risks as the government struggles to verify product standards and prevent youth access. Despite numerous crackdowns, there is no evidence that arrests and seizures have decreased the number of users, according to the network.

Looking ahead, the network advocates for the government to design a more effective policy based on data. They suggest that bringing e-cigarettes under state regulation could mitigate societal harm. A special House committee previously examined the ban's impacts and concluded that legalizing and regulating e-cigarettes was a widely supported option, reported The Thaiger.

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  Adapted by ASEAN Now · The Thaiger · 25 Mar 2026

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900,000 and the rest. Practically every bar girl in Pattaya is using one. 🤷🏼

7 hours ago, FolkGuitar said:

People should be allowed to vape, smoke, use drugs, refuse vaccinations, ride motorcycles without helmets, etc., if that is their wish, although we know that these often lead to hospital stays. Yes, there should be restrictions on ‘where’ some of these may be done,

BUT…The people who choose these should not be allowed to take up the hospital beds needed for those who are NOT harming themselves daily. And certainly not in free government hospitals.

Let Darwin deal with them.

Where exactly do you draw that line?

If we start deciding who 'deserves' healthcare based on personal choices, it very quickly becomes a slippery slope. Is it only smokers and drug users? or does it extend to people who eat poorly because healthier food is more expensive? What about someone who lives a sedentary lifestyle, or drinks socially over many years?

Selective healthcare sets a dangerous precedent. Once that door is open, it doesn’t stay narrowly defined. Do we then deny dementia care because someone drank alcohol throughout their life? Refuse a knee replacement because someone spent 30 years playing football? At some point, do genetics come into play - do we reduce care for people predisposed to certain conditions? These lines don’t stay fixed - they evolve, and not in a fair or consistent way.

And the helmet argument isn’t as straightforward as it sounds. Riding without a helmet isn’t a purely personal risk. If a motorcyclist pulls out in front of a car, the outcome is very different depending on whether they’re wearing one. With a helmet - perhaps a mild concussion. Without one - potentially a fatality or life-altering brain injury. The driver, even if completely blameless, has to live with that. So it’s not victimless. It affects other people emotionally, and it places a far greater burden on healthcare resources.

The reality is that once care is rationing based on perceived “self-inflicted” harm, the system is no longer a healthcare system, but a moral judgement system.

I do not smoke and vape but as an ex smoker it helped to vape to stop .

Vaping is 95% less harmful than the Combustion of Smoking wich is the real killer o smoking . Do not understand the ban . Anyway for smoker who wants to quit , vaping is a good tool to stop .