Thailand steps up crackdown on e-cigarettes, shuts down 76 e-commerce websites

According to an August 13 report by the Bangkok Post, Thailand’s Ministry of Digital Economy and Society, together with the Royal Thai Police, has shut down 76 websites selling e-cigarettes online. A vice minister from the ministry stated that selling or providing e-cigarette-related services may result in multiple legal penalties. For example, under the Consumer Protection Act, offenders may face up to 3 years in prison or a fine of up to 600,000 baht.
1) Importing e-cigarettes falls under the Export and Import of Goods Act as well as Ministry of Commerce regulations banning e-cigarette imports, and may carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison or a fine of up to five times the value of the goods. It may also violate the Customs Act, which carries penalties of up to 10 years in prison or a fine of up to 500,000 baht.
2) Possessing or receiving e-cigarettes is considered an offense related to assisting smuggling and, under the Customs Act, may be punishable by up to 5 years in prison or a fine of up to four times the value of the goods. 
3) E-cigarettes are classified as tobacco products regulated under tobacco control laws. Using e-cigarettes in smoke-free areas may result in a fine of 5,000 baht.
Available information shows that e-cigarettes remain illegal in Thailand. Since 2014, the country has explicitly banned the possession, sale, and import of e-cigarettes. However, many temporary street vendors and e-commerce platforms still offer them for sale, especially in tourist-heavy areas, which has significantly fueled the consumption trend of e-cigarettes in Thailand.
In addition, there are clear regional differences in e-cigarette use among young people in Thailand. For example, Bangkok, the capital, has the highest youth e-cigarette usage rate, reaching 14.6%.