Thailand cracks down on e-cigarettes with tough new measures
The Thai government is ramping up its fight against illegal e-cigarettes with a sweeping crackdown on smuggling, online sales, and domestic distribution.
At a high-level meeting yesterday, March 6 at Government House, Minister to the Prime Minister’s Office Jiraporn Sindhuphrai, who oversees the Office of the Consumer Protection Board (OCPB), announced intensified suppression efforts and long-term solutions.
Jiraporn revealed that between February 1 and 26, police had arrested 666 people and seized over 400,000 e-cigarette products worth more than 41 million baht.
She ordered all relevant agencies, including the Customs Department, Ministry of Interior, OCPB, and Ministry of Digital Economy and Society, to compile data on enforcement actions and submit weekly reports to the prime minister. A public press conference will also be held to update the public.
For immediate enforcement, Jiraporn stated that the public can report e-cigarette violations through hotlines, the Consumer Protection Board website, and the Damrongtham Center in each province.
A new online platform for reporting e-cigarette sales is also being developed by the Digital Government Development Agency and is expected to be ready within one to two weeks. The platform will track complaints and suppression activities to ensure transparency.
On long-term measures, Jiraporn stressed that awareness campaigns will focus on educational institutions, a key concern of the prime minister.
The Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Public Health will collaborate to inform students about the dangers of vaping. She also announced that legal amendments are under review, with a committee expected to present its recommendations to PM Paetongtarn by saturday, March 15.
Addressing online sales, Jiraporn stated that AI technology will be deployed to detect and remove e-cigarette listings from platforms. Transport operators have also pledged to prevent illegal deliveries, with new warning signs at shipping points to reinforce the ban.
For smuggling prevention, police have identified maritime routes and border checkpoints, especially in the northeast, as key entry points.
The Customs Department will now strictly enforce seizures and forward all cases to the Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO) for financial investigations and potential asset confiscation. Cases exceeding 500,000 baht in value will be immediately escalated, reported Matichon.
Regarding confiscated goods, Jiraporn confirmed that once legal proceedings are completed, seized e-cigarettes will be destroyed. However, she acknowledged that funding for this process is insufficient and will be discussed with the prime minister.
“We must make smugglers face maximum consequences to deter repeat offences.”
Jiraporn vowed to enforce stricter penalties and ensure that all offenders, big or small, face legal action.
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