BANGKOK, Thailand – The government has extended its nationwide campaign to curb the use and distribution of e-cigarettes, following the conclusion of a 30-day directive issued by Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra. Prime Minister’s Office Minister Jiraporn Sindhuprai recently chaired a follow-up meeting at Government House with 20 agencies to review progress and outline the next phase of enforcement. Although the official timeframe has ended, operations are continuing without pause.
Between February 26 and April 2, authorities launched legal proceedings in 2,336 e-cigarette-related cases, seizing more than 1.6 million items with an estimated value of nearly 296 million baht. This five-week total has already exceeded the combined annual case counts for 2023 and 2024, reflecting a major escalation in enforcement. Officials credit the surge to improved inter-agency coordination and public engagement through digital reporting platforms.
Since March 19, members of the public have been able to submit reports via the “Thang Rath” mobile application. By early April, authorities had received 5,863 reports, including more than 3,400 concerning online vendors and 2,300 linked to physical retail outlets. The Consumer Protection Police Division is currently reviewing submissions for accuracy and clarity before passing them to local police and relevant agencies for legal action.
In parallel, legal and regulatory reforms are under review to support more effective enforcement. Officials have identified an increase in cross-border smuggling, prompting the Customs Department to revise its inspection procedures at key border points. These adjustments are expected to improve the efficiency of container checks and disrupt illegal distribution networks.
The government is also preparing to expand public education efforts, with a campaign titled “Kick-Off Gen Z Say No to E-Cigarettes” scheduled for April 25 to 26. Led by the Department of Disease Control, the program will deliver in-school activities developed to discourage e-cigarette use among youth. (NNT)
