Thailand: E-Cigarettes Included in Laws Regulating Cigarette Sales
To address passive smoking, Thailand amended its Tobacco Products Control Act (TPCA) in 2017 under a health-sector plan introduced in 2010, resulting in fewer and fewer places where smoking is allowed. In addition to restaurants, bars, and other public pl
To address the issue of passive smoking, Thailand amended the Tobacco Products Control Act (TPCA) in 2017 based on a 2010 health department plan, resulting in fewer places where smoking is allowed. In addition to public places like restaurants and bars where smoking is prohibited, there is a trend of completely banning smoking in areas that previously had designated smoking zones. By January 2018, popular beach tourist areas like Pattaya and Phuket had implemented a full smoking ban.
The scope of tobacco product regulation was also expanded in the revised TPCA of 2017. IQOS electronic cigarettes are considered a type of e-cigarette and thus fall under the ban. Foreigners in Thailand are also subject to these regulations. The Thailand Tourism Authority's webpage titled "Electronic Cigarettes are illegal in Thailand" states that possession of e-cigarettes is prohibited under Thai drug laws and the tobacco control law enacted in 2014. Similar products to cigarettes, such as non-nicotine e-cigarettes, hookahs, and IQOS e-cigarettes, are also regulated.
According to reports from the National Daily, the Thai Ministry of Public Health plans to legislate to include e-cigarettes under existing laws regulating cigarette sales.
This measure seems to advance the control of e-cigarettes. Although e-cigarettes have been banned in Thailand for about five years, they are becoming increasingly popular.
Dr. Nopporn Cheunklin, Deputy Director of the Disease Control Department of the Ministry of Public Health, stated that despite the ban, e-cigarettes remain popular, prompting the ministry to draft a law to bring e-cigarettes under the same regulatory framework as traditional cigarettes and other tobacco products.
In Thailand, smoking is not allowed in many places, leading many tourists to choose to carry e-cigarettes to avoid temptation. E-cigarettes, made from e-liquid and containing no nicotine, do not affect those around them while allowing users to enjoy the sensation of smoking, making them popular among smoking enthusiasts.
The scope of tobacco product regulation was also expanded in the revised TPCA of 2017. IQOS electronic cigarettes are considered a type of e-cigarette and thus fall under the ban. Foreigners in Thailand are also subject to these regulations. The Thailand Tourism Authority's webpage titled "Electronic Cigarettes are illegal in Thailand" states that possession of e-cigarettes is prohibited under Thai drug laws and the tobacco control law enacted in 2014. Similar products to cigarettes, such as non-nicotine e-cigarettes, hookahs, and IQOS e-cigarettes, are also regulated.
According to reports from the National Daily, the Thai Ministry of Public Health plans to legislate to include e-cigarettes under existing laws regulating cigarette sales.
This measure seems to advance the control of e-cigarettes. Although e-cigarettes have been banned in Thailand for about five years, they are becoming increasingly popular.
Dr. Nopporn Cheunklin, Deputy Director of the Disease Control Department of the Ministry of Public Health, stated that despite the ban, e-cigarettes remain popular, prompting the ministry to draft a law to bring e-cigarettes under the same regulatory framework as traditional cigarettes and other tobacco products.
In Thailand, smoking is not allowed in many places, leading many tourists to choose to carry e-cigarettes to avoid temptation. E-cigarettes, made from e-liquid and containing no nicotine, do not affect those around them while allowing users to enjoy the sensation of smoking, making them popular among smoking enthusiasts.
