Thai man in Pattaya arrested for allegedly selling e-cig vaping products

A Thai man is under arrest in Pattaya for allegedly selling e-cigarettes and vaping products, after concerned citizens tipped off Banglamung police. The products were allegedly being sold in the Naklua market, according to the Banglamung Administrative Chief Officer, Phonchai Sangeiad who reportedly talked to Pattaya News.

“We are cracking down on electronic cigarettes in the area overall as part of a national drive to protect the health of our residents. We had received a tip-off from a concerned citizen that vaping products were being sold at the Mueang Jamlong Market in Naklua and immediately responded.”

“We conducted a sting operation to buy vaping and vaping devices at the shop before arresting the suspect after confirming he was selling the products illegally.”

“45 year old Sarayut Mayotha, the owner of the vaping market stall, was arrested. He admitted that he was the shop owner. Officers seized 6 electronic cigarettes and 33 bottles of liquid used to supply e-cigarettes.”

“The suspect was taken to the Banglamung Police Station to face charges of offenses to the consumer protection law for selling vaping and vaping devices.”

Thailand is has some of the strictest e-cigarette or vaping laws in the world with many organisations trying unsuccessfully to overturn such laws as officials say they are in place to “protect the health of citizens.” But critics say it is due to a lack of ability to properly control export taxes on e-cigarette products as well as traditional cigarette companies pushing back against such laws. Cigarette companies say that if e-cigarettes are allowed, it would adversely affect their revenue.

According to cancer.org, the vapor in e-cigs may sound harmless, but the aerosol that comes out of an e-cigarette is not water vapor and can be harmful. The aerosol from an e-cigarette can contain nicotine and other substances that are addictive and can cause lung disease, heart disease, and cancer.

SOURCE: The Pattaya News/Cancer.org