Asa Saligupta, director of ENDS Cigarette Smoke Thailand, stated that legalizing and regulating e-cigarettes would give Thailand greater control over youth e-cigarette usage. Continuing the ban would only worsen the situation.
His comments came after the recent statement by Thailand's Minister of Public Health, Anutin Charnvirakul, that continuing the ban on e-cigarettes in Thailand would protect young people. "The black market sale of e-cigarettes will only make young people more addicted to them. Additionally, the complete lack of regulatory control allows the black market to flourish without any product safety standards. The e-cigarette ban is not a solution and it is not sustainable," said Mr. Saligupta.
As the Thai parliament has received a draft legislation, the director of the ECST believes that safer nicotine products will still be regulated. He stated that most politicians and the public still support lifting the failed e-cigarette ban in the country.
ECST has pointed out that despite recent remarks from the Minister of Public Health, Digital Economy and Society Minister Chaiwut Thanakamanusorn, government officials, and public health experts know exactly what needs to be done to address Thailand's smoking epidemic. "Tobacco harm reduction advocates will continue to work behind the scenes. Regulations will provide better protection for consumers, encourage more smokers to quit deadly cigarettes, and ensure that we can better control teenage vaping with strict purchase age restrictions," he said.
Mr. Saligupta said that it was unfortunate that the Minister of Public Health had been heavily influenced by organizations such as ThaiHealth. However, ECST believes that the stagnant e-cigarette bill is likely to be passed after the upcoming elections later this year.
Approximately 50,000 Thai people die from smoking every year. Continuing Thailand's strict ban and penalties on electronic cigarette products will only mean more smoking-related diseases and premature deaths," he said.
Despite the World Health Organization's (WHO) anti-e-cigarette agenda, nearly 70 countries have now adopted regulatory frameworks for safer nicotine products, resulting in a steep decline in overall smoking rates.
We are simply asking Thailand to follow the evidence. Unfortunately, our country is becoming increasingly isolated as they continue to adhere to the World Health Organization's completely unreliable guidance. In reality, electronic cigarettes are the most successful smoking cessation tool we have and are safer than smoking. As a former smoker who has successfully quit thanks to e-cigarettes, they have truly saved my life. Legal and regulated access to e-cigarettes has been a long time coming," said Asa Saligupta.
ECST is a member of CAPHRA (Coalition of Asia Pacific Tobacco Harm Reduction Advocates). According to CAPHRA, the Asia Pacific region has made great strides in reducing the harm caused by tobacco and enabling smokers to switch to safer nicotine products.
The Philippines has recently lifted the ban on e-cigarettes and has regulated the import, manufacture, sale, and marketing of e-cigarettes. Nancy Loucas, the coordinator of CAPHRA, stated that this achievement in Thailand is due to the substantial scientific evidence and the hard work of THR advocates, such as ECST.
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