Thai Anti-Smoking Activists Urge Political Parties to Oppose E-Cigarettes in Upcoming Elections

On April 1, the Bangkok Post reported that anti-smoking activist Prakit Vathesatogkit urged political parties and their candidates to oppose the use of electronic cigarettes in the upcoming prime ministerial election on May 14th.

Appeal to all political parties to oppose the use of electronic cigarettes.

Smoking and the Action on Smoking and Health Foundation's executive secretary, Prakit Bo, as reported by mgronline.com.

Dr. Prakit, the Executive Secretary of the Action on Smoking and Health Foundation, stated that although electronic cigarettes are illegal in Thailand, their use has become popular, particularly among young people.

Dr. Prakit announced that some manufacturers are leading a movement to lift the ban on e-cigarettes. Thailand had banned e-cigarettes in 2014, and anyone caught violating the law could be arrested, imprisoned, or fined several times the value of the illegal product.

However, some foreign travelers who were unaware of the ban have been caught carrying electronic cigarettes and have been fined or arrested. As a result, he suggests that tourists visiting Thailand should not carry any electronic cigarettes or related items, such as e-liquids.

Dr. Prakit would like to express his gratitude to the organizations that have actively tackled the issue of e-cigarettes, including the Thai Royal Police, the Office of Consumer Protection, Customs, and local governments.

He called on the government to enforce the law strictly and provide enough personnel to solve the problem of inadequate law enforcement personnel. He said that all political parties should also promote the e-cigarette ban during election campaigns.

According to a report by 2FIRSTS, five political parties in Thailand have pledged to the public that they will not support the legalization of electronic cigarettes if they are selected to be a part of the cabinet after the May elections this year.

Controversy over Prohibition and Deregulation

There are also voices calling for the lifting of the e-cigarette ban in Thailand. Saligupta, director of the End Smoking Thailand organization (ECST), expressed confidence that the Thai parliament will pass a bill legalizing e-cigarettes after the May election.

He claims that the majority of government officials and the public in Thailand support the legalization of electronic cigarettes. Currently, ECST and other groups have been working with government officials to legalize and regulate electronic cigarettes.

Thai lawmaker Chaiwut Thanakamanusorn has stated that they are exploring ways of legalizing e-cigarettes and believe that it can serve as a safe alternative for those who cannot quit smoking.

The Thai Minister of Digital Economy and Society (DES) stated in an interview with the Bangkok Post that he believes e-cigarettes can be a safer option for those trying to quit smoking. He also noted that if the tobacco industry were to transition to a more sustainable industry, local tobacco farmers and the Thailand Tobacco Monopoly would greatly benefit.

The Bangkok office of the Thai Election Commission will begin accepting applications for constituency candidates from April 3 to April 7. Current Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha announced that he will run for reelection on behalf of the newly-formed Palang Pracharat Party. Meanwhile, the ruling coalition's Phalang Pracharat Party (PPRP) nominated Prawit Wongsuwan, the current Thai Deputy Prime Minister and PPRP Chairman, as their candidate for the next PM last month. The issue will be discussed by the newly-elected cabinet government.

Further Reading:

Thailand may legalize electronic cigarettes after this year's general election, as a consensus on the ban of e-cigarettes is proving difficult to achieve.

Five political parties in Thailand pledge not to support the legalization of electronic cigarettes.

The head of the End Cigarette Smoke Thailand (ECST) organization has expressed confidence in the legalization of e-cigarettes in Thailand.

References:

Doctors are urging political parties to maintain the ban on vaping.