Thailand to Legalize Vape This Year
Since November 2014, Thailand has banned the import, export, sale, and possession of e-cigarettes (including e-hookah) nationwide. However, the country's stance on e-cigarettes may be changing. According to the End Cigarette Smoke Thailand organization (ECST), Thailand currently prohibits e-cigarettes but is discussing how to end the ban.
ECST believes that Thailand may legalize e-cigarettes after the upcoming general election in May of this year.
"This work has been going on for several years. It hasn't been stagnant. In fact, the smoking law is waiting for approval from the Thai parliament," said Asa Saligupta, director of ECST.
The ECST states that approximately 50,000 people die from smoking-related diseases each year in Thailand. Meanwhile, 70 countries have adopted regulatory frameworks for safer nicotine products, resulting in a significant reduction in smoking rates.
Many activists in Thailand have expressed their preference for safer e-cigarettes. According to ECST Director Asa Saligupta, if Thailand wants to significantly reduce smoking-related diseases and premature deaths, it must lift the strict ban and penalties on e-cigarettes.
The Thai government has taken strict measures against e-cigarettes and has issued occasional crackdown orders. Last December, Thai law enforcement authorities seized 883,000 items worth 139 million baht ($3.98 million) at an e-cigarette warehouse.
Thailand's Minister of Public Health, Anutin Charnvirakul, has also repeatedly emphasized the need to strengthen the crackdown on e-cigarettes. He recently stressed at a meeting of the health department that he would coordinate with the police and customs to arrest smugglers of e-cigarettes to maintain regulation.
Although anti-smoking activists appear to have the support of the Minister of Public Health, Saligupta believes that most politicians and the public in Thailand still support the lifting of the e-cigarette ban. This includes not only civil society organizations like the ECST but also government organizations such as the Department of Digital Economy and Society (DES). Last year, the Minister of DES stated in the Bangkok Post that he believes e-cigarettes can be a safer option for those trying to quit smoking. If the tobacco industry transitions to a more sustainable industry, local tobacco growers and the Thailand Tobacco Monopoly will benefit greatly.
Saligupta remains confident that safer nicotine products will be regulated in Thailand. "Regulation will provide better protection for consumers, encourage more smokers to quit deadly cigarettes, and ensure that we better control teenage smoking behavior through strict purchasing age," he said.
Reference:
[1] Thailand’s DES Ministry in Favour of Legalizing Vapes to Reduce Smoking Rates
[2] Saligupta: ‘Thailand to Legalize Vaping After Elections’
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