On July 17, 2023, the Thai Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin announced the establishment of a special task force aimed at rigorously combating the use and sale of e-cigarettes. This new initiative reflects Thailand’s stringent stance on e-cigarette regulation, addressing public health concerns and legal enforcement.
Task Force Objectives
Research and Policy Development
The primary mission of the task force is to research and draft policy proposals regarding e-cigarettes. This collaborative effort includes experts from relevant agencies and representatives from the Consumer Protection Board. The task force is charged with developing comprehensive strategies to curb e-cigarette usage and ensuring robust legal frameworks are in place.
Strict Law Enforcement
Since e-cigarettes are explicitly listed as illegal items in Thailand, the buying, selling, importing, possessing, and using them is prohibited. Violators face severe penalties, including up to 10 years in prison. The task force will focus on promoting strict enforcement of these laws to deter illegal activities related to e-cigarettes.
Key Measures to Control E-cigarette Use in Public Places
Government Premises
All government agencies will prohibit the carrying and use of e-cigarettes within their premises. This measure ensures that public servants adhere to the law and set an example for the general population.
Transportation Hubs
The Ministry of Transport will intensify controls at stations and airports, banning passengers from carrying or using e-cigarettes on planes. This step aims to prevent e-cigarette use in public transit systems and maintain a smoke-free environment.
Schools
The Ministry of Education will require campus patrol officers to monitor students, prohibiting them from carrying or using e-cigarettes. Enhanced checks on student parcels will be implemented to prevent the smuggling of e-cigarettes into educational institutions.
Business and Labor
The Ministry of the Interior will strictly manage business and service establishments, banning the carrying or use of e-cigarettes. Additionally, the Ministry of Labor will tighten control measures for registered laborers to ensure compliance within the workforce.
Health Sector
The Ministry of Public Health will promote smoking control through provincial committees, which will report to the Ministry every three months. This ongoing monitoring and reporting system will help track progress and identify areas needing further intervention.
Online Sales Enforcement
The Cyber Police Headquarters will combat online e-cigarette advertisements and sales. By shutting down 309 accounts nationwide across 23 provinces, authorities aim to prevent new sellers from emerging and curb the online distribution of e-cigarettes.
Additional Initiatives
Public Education and Health Professional Empowerment
The task force will focus on strengthening public education through a health professional empowerment program in collaboration with 23 professional organizations and 36 provincial alliances. Key components of this program include:
- Establishing a smoking control database
- Investigating smoking behaviors, attitudes, and knowledge among health professional students
- Providing cloud clinic services
- Setting up 563 fresh clinics
- Developing smoking cessation services in community and local hospitals
Nicotine Addiction Prevention and Treatment
The program will work with medical institution certification bodies to promote nicotine addiction prevention and treatment. This initiative aims to equip health professionals with the necessary skills and knowledge to support individuals seeking to quit smoking.
Protecting Youth
To protect Thai children and teenagers, the government will continue to push for the maintenance of the e-cigarette import and sales ban. This ensures that e-cigarettes cannot legally circulate in the market, thereby reducing access and exposure among the youth.
FAQs
What is the main objective of Thailand’s new task force on e-cigarettes?
The main objective of the task force is to research and draft policy proposals regarding e-cigarettes, ensuring strict enforcement of laws prohibiting their use, sale, and possession.
What are the penalties for violating e-cigarette laws in Thailand?
Violators of e-cigarette laws in Thailand can face up to 10 years in prison, reflecting the severity of the country’s stance on illegal e-cigarette activities.
How will the task force control e-cigarette use in public places?
The task force will implement measures such as banning e-cigarettes in government premises, transportation hubs, schools, and business establishments, along with enhanced enforcement of existing laws.
What steps are being taken to prevent online sales of e-cigarettes?
The Cyber Police Headquarters will identify and shut down online e-cigarette advertisements and sales accounts, targeting 309 accounts nationwide to prevent new sellers from emerging.
How is the health sector involved in the task force’s initiatives?
The Ministry of Public Health will promote smoking control through provincial committees, establish smoking cessation services, and collaborate with medical institutions to prevent and treat nicotine addiction.
What measures are in place to protect children and teenagers from e-cigarettes?
The government will maintain the ban on e-cigarette import and sales, ensuring these products do not legally circulate in the market, thereby reducing youth access and exposure.
