"Thailand Takes Strong Measures Against Youth Smoking: Electronic Cigarette Use in Schools Punished Like Drug Offenses"

Thailand, a Country Banning E-Cigarettes, 9.1% of Youth Smoke
Most Start Due to Peer Influence...Stricter School Punishments Implemented

The Thai government has decided to impose drug-level severe penalties for possession and smoking of electronic cigarettes on school premises to curb the rising rate of e-cigarette use among teenagers. On the 23rd, the Bangkok Post reported, "The Ministry of Education plans to amend the school drug prohibition regulations to include electronic cigarettes," adding, "This aims to suppress the increasing rate of e-cigarette smoking among students." The Thai government is preparing new regulations for punishing students who use e-cigarettes, which are expected to be implemented within this month.

Thailand banned the import, sale, and use of electronic cigarettes entirely in 2014. Possession or use of e-cigarettes can result in fines up to 500,000 baht (approximately 18.7 million KRW). However, in reality, e-cigarettes are easily obtainable at street vendors in tourist areas and entertainment districts. It is also common to see people smoking e-cigarettes openly in public places such as streets.

Thailand is a country that has legalized marijuana, and there is public opinion that e-cigarettes should not be banned either. However, as the issue of teenage e-cigarette smoking became more visible, the government took strong measures. A survey conducted by the Thai Health Service Support Department in June last year revealed that the nationwide rate of teenagers smoking e-cigarettes was 9.1%, and in the capital Bangkok, it was 14.6%, causing shock.

Among teenagers who smoke e-cigarettes, 92.2% responded that they started using them due to the influence of friends. The percentage of teenagers who smoke both e-cigarettes and conventional cigarettes reached 43.3%. Additionally, 1.6% reported that they first smoked e-cigarettes with immediate family members. Health authorities stated, "The use of e-cigarettes among students aged 13 to 15 is increasing, and there are even cases of e-cigarette smoking among children aged 6 to 7."

In the United Kingdom, a strong anti-smoking law is being prepared to prohibit the legal purchase of cigarettes for those born in 2009 and later. According to the UK government's 'smoke-free generation' initiative, the legal age to buy cigarettes will increase by one year annually, making it permanently illegal for those born in 2009 and after to purchase cigarettes. Furthermore, disposable e-cigarette products will be banned, and flavors, packaging, and sales methods appealing to youth will be restricted. Although it is illegal for those under 18 to purchase e-cigarettes in the UK, a survey revealed that about 20% of minors have tried smoking e-cigarettes.