Authorities in Chiang Rai seize illegal e-cigarette stash.

Oct.20.2023
Authorities in Chiang Rai seize illegal e-cigarette stash.
Thai authorities conducted a raid on a shop in Chiang Rai, seizing illegal e-cigarette and related equipment.

According to Thai media on October 20th, authorities in Chiang Rai city discovered the presence of e-cigarettes and related devices concealed in a store located in the downtown area, with the assistance of undercover police. Subsequently, the deputy police chief of the city led a law enforcement team in conducting a surprise search.


After the team was deployed, they apprehended a 28-year-old suspect believed to be the owner of the store. Upon inspecting the premises, they uncovered an illicit stash valued at approximately 90,000 Thai Baht (18,000 Chinese Yuan) and confiscated it.


According to Thai researchers and the chairman of the Consumer Conference, it has been confirmed that e-cigarettes are explicitly prohibited for sale under the Consumer Protection Act due to their harmful effects on health. Anyone found illegally selling or providing e-cigarettes may face a maximum fine of 600,000 Thai baht (120,000 Chinese yuan) or a maximum prison sentence of 3 years, or both.


We welcome news tips, article submissions, interview requests, or comments on this piece.

Please contact us at info@2firsts.com, or reach out to Alan Zhao, CEO of 2Firsts, on LinkedIn


Notice

1.  This article is intended solely for professional research purposes related to industry, technology, and policy. Any references to brands or products are made purely for objective description and do not constitute any form of endorsement, recommendation, or promotion by 2Firsts.

2.  The use of nicotine-containing products — including, but not limited to, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, nicotine pouchand heated tobacco products — carries significant health risks. Users are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions.

3.  This article is not intended to serve as the basis for any investment decisions or financial advice. 2Firsts assumes no direct or indirect liability for any inaccuracies or errors in the content.

4.  Access to this article is strictly prohibited for individuals below the legal age in their jurisdiction.

 

Copyright

 

This article is either an original work created by 2Firsts or a reproduction from third-party sources with proper attribution. All copyrights and usage rights belong to 2Firsts or the original content provider. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or any other form of unauthorized use by any individual or organization is strictly prohibited. Violators will be held legally accountable.

For copyright-related inquiries, please contact: info@2firsts.com

 

AI Assistance Disclaimer

 

This article may have been enhanced using AI tools to improve translation and editorial efficiency. However, due to technical limitations, inaccuracies may occur. Readers are encouraged to refer to the cited sources for the most accurate information.

We welcome any corrections or feedback. Please contact us at: info@2firsts.com

Australian Coalition Taskforce Calls for 80% Tobacco Tax Cut to Combat Illicit Market
Australian Coalition Taskforce Calls for 80% Tobacco Tax Cut to Combat Illicit Market
According to SGST on August 26, 2026, Australia’s Coalition Illegal Tobacco Taskforce released a report recommending an up to 80% cut in tobacco excise to reduce the appeal of the illicit tobacco market. The report claimed organised crime groups now control about 80% of Australia’s tobacco market and argued that high excise rates have widened the price gap between legal and illegal products. The recommendation remains a policy proposal and has not been adopted by the Australian government, which said its focus remains on enforcement, compliance and additional resources.
Aug.27
U.S. Customs Plan to Require Foreign Export Declarations Could Deal ‘Devastating’ Blow to China’s Vape Exports, Logistics gl Expert Says
U.S. Customs Plan to Require Foreign Export Declarations Could Deal ‘Devastating’ Blow to China’s Vape Exports, Logistics gl Expert Says
A U.S. Customs and Border Protection proposal to collect foreign export declarations and other overseas customs documents could expose discrepancies in the value, classification and description of China-made vape shipments entering the United States. A veteran Chinese logistics professional told 2Firsts that the measure, if implemented, could undermine the all-inclusive shipping model used by some unauthorized vape exporters and push parts of the trade toward costlier underground channels. The risk extends beyond higher duties: accurately declared products may also be more readily identified as unauthorized e-cigarettes subject to FDA enforcement.
Special Report
Sep.07
Kuwait Tightens Tobacco and Nicotine Rules, Bans Under-21 Sales and Extends Public Smoking Restrictions to Vapes and Heated Tobacco
Kuwait Tightens Tobacco and Nicotine Rules, Bans Under-21 Sales and Extends Public Smoking Restrictions to Vapes and Heated Tobacco
Kuwait has issued a comprehensive new regulatory framework covering tobacco, e-cigarettes, heated tobacco and other nicotine products. Ministerial Decision No. 237 of 2026, signed by Health Minister Ahmad Al-Awadhi, will take effect on January 1, 2027. The rules prohibit sales to people under 21 and ban sales through websites, apps, social media and delivery services. E-cigarettes and heated tobacco products will also be treated as smoking in public and enclosed places where smoking is prohibited. Nicotine pouches and other oral nicotine products not registered as medicines are banned.
Regulations
Aug.17 by 2Firsts Perspectives
Alaska Warns 1,500 Tobacco Retailers Over Unauthorized Vapes and Nicotine Pouches
Alaska Warns 1,500 Tobacco Retailers Over Unauthorized Vapes and Nicotine Pouches
Alaska Attorney General Stephen J. Cox has sent notices to more than 1,500 tobacco retailers and distributors warning them against selling vape and nicotine pouch products that lack authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). According to the Alaska Department of Law, businesses were advised to verify products against FDA authorization databases and avoid selling unauthorized nicotine products. The action highlights how state-level enforcement is increasingly extending federal product authorization requirements to retail channels.
Jul.24
China’s Zhengzhou Tobacco Research Institute develops end-to-end heated tobacco analysis to trace aerosol compound origins
China’s Zhengzhou Tobacco Research Institute develops end-to-end heated tobacco analysis to trace aerosol compound origins
The Zhengzhou Tobacco Research Institute of China National Tobacco Corporation has filed a patent application for an end-to-end method to analyze the migration and transformation of chemical compounds in heated tobacco products. Using GC-Orbitrap/MS non-targeted analysis, the method compares tobacco substrate and aerosol samples to distinguish compounds transferred directly from the substrate from those newly formed during heating, while also calculating transfer rates. In an example involving nine heated tobacco products, the patent identified 17 newly formed thermal decomposition compounds and 38 transferred compounds.
Aug.13
BAT's VELO Partners With McLaren F1 Team for Global Fan Campaign to Expand Nicotine Pouch Brand Reach
BAT's VELO Partners With McLaren F1 Team for Global Fan Campaign to Expand Nicotine Pouch Brand Reach
BAT-owned nicotine pouch brand VELO and the McLaren Mastercard Formula 1 Team have launched a global fan engagement campaign offering motorsport enthusiasts opportunities to win exclusive team-related experiences. The initiative aims to connect racing culture, fan interaction and VELO’s brand experience across global markets. The partnership reflects BAT’s broader strategy of expanding modern nicotine product brands beyond traditional tobacco categories through lifestyle and cultural marketing.
Jul.23