Thai officials eye shisha and e-cigarette tax

[smotherb]

I think I am reading that if they do not tax it then it is illegal. If they establish a tax on it, then it will be legal - right?

Yes, do you think alcohol and tobacco would be legal if there was not a tax on them? The use of these products causes other problematic issues.

Legalizing vices through taxation seems to be the preferred method.

[Triplebank999]

i don't know why they don't also tax women make up products and hair products...they are so popular right now... these products are like what cigs n alky is to men... whats fair in love n war hehe

They are taxed already, do you think they are exempted from VAT?

[Triplebank999]

Shisha is already banned in Thailand!!! So now they plan to tax an illegal activity. I have never heard of anything so stupid!

When it's regulated under the law, which is what the proposal is, then the government will be able to be tax it. Not so stupid really.

[Triplebank999]

I think I am reading that if they do not tax it then it is illegal. If they establish a tax on it, then it will be legal - right?

No, if it is regulated under the law it will then be legal and taxable.

[Triplebank999]

Neither product is currently registered under any Thai laws, officials said.

<snip>

Officials said that despite its widespread use, shisha is in fact illegal

Anyone else notice a contradiction here?

It is illegal by virtue of the fact that it's importation is illegal, so no contradiction.

[halloween]

Anybody who has not seen the Yes, Prime Minister episode entitled the Smoke Screen should take the time to watch it. Sir Humphrey's argument that tobacco tax revenue exceeds the medical costs so smokers are heroes dying for their country is classic.

[FredNL]

I would say: "Legalise Marihuana too !!!"

[Lupatria]

I was already missing the 'thainess' aspect on this subject: the only difference between 'legal' and 'illegal' is when we can put a price tag to it.

[OPG]

Shisha is already banned in Thailand!!! So now they plan to tax an illegal activity. I have never heard of anything so stupid!

You've never heard of an illegal substance called Marijuana that is now legal in many countries for the sole purpose of collecting taxes?

[OPG]

I think I am reading that if they do not tax it then it is illegal. If they establish a tax on it, then it will be legal - right?

That is exactly what the article states.

[MediaWatcher]

ebean001, on 02 Sept 2014 - 09:48, said:

I think I am reading that if they do not tax it then it is illegal. If they establish a tax on it, then it will be legal - right?

I'd have thought there was VAT already, so what will they be taxing.

[MediaWatcher]

jacksam, on 02 Sept 2014 - 11:06, said:

misterphil, on 02 Sept 2014 - 09:35, said:

Shisha, the fastest way to catch herpes in Thailand.

What are u smoking. I assume your rferring to herpes simplex 1.

Or are u smoking it with the old fella.

and why are you questioning him...I think most of us understood it as herpes simplex..... it is still herpes.

[MediaWatcher]

Triplebank999, on 02 Sept 2014 - 12:15, said:

Tywais, on 02 Sept 2014 - 09:51, said:

QuoteNeither product is currently registered under any Thai laws, officials said.

<snip>

Officials said that despite its widespread use, shisha is in fact illegal

Anyone else notice a contradiction here?

It is illegal by virtue of the fact that it's importation is illegal, so no contradiction.

Interesting, so what law prohibits the importation and why are they passed by customs.

[toooa]

ban everything I say...I personally won't be happy until everyone's a criminal.

[jimbeam1]

Shisha is already banned in Thailand!!! So now they plan to tax an illegal activity. I have never heard of anything so stupid!

Ah but if you read the post again, you will see where catch22 comes in to play. They intend to legalise it first.

They need the money. Don't be to suprised to find they legalise prostitution next.

jb1

[Mr Yim]

I guess the costs of the popularist policies charm offensive and massive pay awards to the public sector have to be met one way or another.

[Don Aleman]

This is discriminatory targeting , singling out just a few so, - get em' all with a tax on toilet tissue !

[DrTuner]

What part of e-juices they want to tax ? Propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin or food flavorings ? It doesn't contain any tobacco. If nicotine is added, I suppose that could be taxed as a pharmaceutical.

[retell]

This is discriminatory targeting , singling out just a few so, - get em' all with a tax on toilet tissue !

Look at the receipt it has tax allready

[Tanlic]

Probably they were going to introduce a fresh air tax in Bangkok but then realised there isn't any so they changed it to Shisa

[Adeeos]

Years ago, in the US,, when pot was still illegal in all the States,, The Feds issued a Federal, "Marijuana tax stamp" that DIDN'T make pot legal,, but what it DID do?... the penalty for selling pot WITHOUT the tax stamp, was MORE than for selling the pot itself!!! Many avid stamp collectors where of course hit up when they purchased the stamps for their collections,, I mean, WHY would you need the stamp, if you weren't selling pot?.... that was the reasoning anyway,,,, lolol

[atyclb]

e cigs should not be taxed since they can help smokers quit and should be viewed in a similar way to the nicotine patch. e cigs are also a godsend for those non-smokers in close proximity, improving their health and the freshness of their clothes and hair.

by all means tax shisha as it is basically a high dose cig delivery system.

[retell]

e cigs should not be taxed since they can help smokers quit and should be viewed in a similar way to the nicotine patch. e cigs are also a godsend for those non-smokers in close proximity, improving their health and the freshness of their clothes and hair.

by all means tax shisha as it is basically a high dose cig delivery system.

You really think those nicotine patches , gum etc are tax free ????

[tomyumchai]

Shisha is already banned in Thailand!!! So now they plan to tax an illegal activity. I have never heard of anything so stupid!

yes you have, its called the 'barfine' 1 of the biggest taxes out there

[khunken]

e cigs should not be taxed since they can help smokers quit and should be viewed in a similar way to the nicotine patch. e cigs are also a godsend for those non-smokers in close proximity, improving their health and the freshness of their clothes and hair.

by all means tax shisha as it is basically a high dose cig delivery system.

You really think those nicotine patches , gum etc are tax free ????

No they're not VAT free. Reading the Op and interpreting what is not put very clearly, they are considering an excise tax on shisha & e-cigs.

As they are currently in a 'grey area' legally it would be a good idea to allow them and tax the tobacco in shisha & the nicotine in some of the e-cigs' liquids. They would both be subject to VAT as well.

I think it is a positive move (being a smoker).

[moto77]

Shisha is already banned in Thailand!!! So now they plan to tax an illegal activity. I have never heard of anything so stupid!

Did you actually read it?

They said that they plan to change the law to make it legal and then regulate and tax it.

Edited September 2, 2014 by moto77

[Cthulhu]

Neither product is currently registered under any Thai laws, officials said.

<snip>

Officials said that despite its widespread use, shisha is in fact illegal

Anyone else notice a contradiction here?

Not really. It's the old principle that "anything that is not expressly permitted is forbidden".

It used to be the rule in the old Soviet Union and the Communist states of Eastern Europe I believe. I guess it still applies in a great many countries.

[mok199]

squeeze squeeze..or....beep beep.....sawadee ( ton-O-crap)

[jacksam]

jacksam, on 02 Sept 2014 - 11:06, said:

misterphil, on 02 Sept 2014 - 09:35, said:

Shisha, the fastest way to catch herpes in Thailand.

What are u smoking. I assume your rferring to herpes simplex 1.

Or are u smoking it with the old fella.

and why are you questioning him...I think most of us understood it as herpes simplex..... it is still herpes.[/

Maybe because I am a retired doctor. Herpes simplex 1. Otherwise know as cold sores is a far cry from the debilitating virus know as herpes simplex 2 or genital herpes. Some people exposed to it meaning have it, can be lucky and have symptons that may dissapear over time. Some sadly do no. You cannot contract this virus by sharing oral exchange. .

quote]

[Codesh]

I don't really get all the different approaches to nicotine depending on its delivery system. It's a highly addictive drug. Harder to quit than heroin for many people. So just tax nicotine - then anything you put it in - shisha or e-cigs or gum or whatever helps make money that can be spent on something useful - like clinics for addicts.

And I don't want to punish nicotine addicts financially - but I like it if every thing with nicotine is too expensive for young people to develop the addiction while they are impressionable. Trying to find a fair point between these 2 different aims isn't easy.