More Thai youths turning to e-cigarettes

An increasing number of Thai youths, some of them as young as 10, are using e-cigarettes, or vapes, which are readily available despite their importation, distribution, sale and possession being illegal in Thailand.

According to the Youth Institute of Thailand, the use of tobacco products, including vapes, among Thai youth has been on the rise, from an increase of 3% in 2022 to a rise of 17.6% in 2024.

The institute noted that many people in Thailand have a misperception about vapes, believing that they are less dangerous to health than cigarettes because the liquid used in vapes contains less nicotine than cigarettes.

E-cigarettes often come in bright colours, various shapes and designs, such as dolls, milk boxes and toys, which appeal to young people. There are also hundreds of flavours.

According to Professor Dr. Suwanna Ruangkanchanasetr, an expert in children and adolescents at the Faculty of Medicine of Ramathibodi Hospital, one e-cigarette contains the nicotine equivalent to as many as 20 packs of cigarettes, depending on the type, adding that nicotine has impacts on a child’s brain development, affecting their learning ability and memory.

She suggests that parents keep a close eye on their children and check their school bags, to ensure that they do not contain vapes. She also said that many young people don’t know that the toys they have bought and have been using are vapes.

Government spokesman Jirayu Huangsap led officials from the Consumer Protection Board and Ministry of Public Health to inspect six shops in Khlong Sam Wa and Bueng Kum districts in Bangkok on Sunday, where vapes are reported to be available.

Three shops were found to be selling vapes.

The owners of the shops were taken to police stations in the two districts, where they faced charges of trading in contraband, in accordance with the Consumer Protection Act. They could face prison terms of up to three years and/or a fine of 600,000 baht if convicted.