The Minister of the Prime Minister’s Office announced three measures to combat vapes. Including strengthening border enforcement, cracking down on illegal imports and sales, raising public awareness of the dangers of vapes, and evaluating laws to strengthen enforcement. The government will assess the results within 30 days and draw up a long-term plan.
Key points:
- The Thai government proposes three major measures and will evaluate their effectiveness within 30 days to develop a long-term plan.
- First, strengthen border customs law enforcement, crack down on illegal imports, and strictly investigate domestic sales;
- second, publicize the dangers of vapes through schools and communities;
- Third, evaluate relevant laws and strengthen law enforcement.
Thai government issues three measures to control e-cigarettes
According to Mgronline reported on February 27, according to the instructions of Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra. Thailand’s Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office. Jiraporn Sinthuprai announced three regulatory measures for vapes to curb the harm of vapes to children and adolescents.
The first stage is the emergency stage. The phase calls for a strict crackdown on the import of vapes, especially in border areas.
The customs department will be the main body for carrying out its duties and stricter enforcement, and will not hesitate to take legal action if illegal imports are detected and handed over to the investigating police and the anti-money Laundering office to seize property;
Sales by domestic merchants will also face a crackdown, and the government will work closely with relevant agencies such as the National Police. The Consumer Protection Board (OCPB) and the Ministry of Home Affairs;
In addition, the public is encouraged to provide a feedback platform, so that people can see the sales of vapes in each region;
For online sales. TikTok has been requested to cooperate and strictly monitor the increase in opportunities for young people to access vapes.
This will be followed by joint discussion sessions with platform operators and transport operators to monitor and find ways to block online sales.
A three-pronged approach to importation, sales, and education
The second phase will raise public awareness of the dangers of vaping through publicity, especially in school Settings. The Ministry of Education will work with the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security (MSDHS). The Ministry of Health (MOPH), the Ministry of Public Relations, and the National Broadcasting and Communications Commission (NBTC) to promote knowledge about the dangers of vapes to students, teachers, and parents.
The third phase of the measure is to evaluate the relevant laws to strengthen penalties and enforcement efficiency in the future. For illegal activities involving electronic cigarettes, if law enforcement officers are found to be involved, the Thai National Police promised to deal with them immediately and carry out corresponding penalties.
Khilapong Shinthu announced that on the same day. The Thai government will begin a comprehensive crackdown on vapes and evaluate the effectiveness within 30 days. The relevant agencies will return to work on plans and meet again in a week to report to the Prime Minister on plans and progress on long-term measures.
