Smoking in Thailand
There has been a downwards trend in current smoking prevalence in the general population in Thailand. Smoking prevalence was 25% overall in 2000 and declined to just under 21% in 2015, with a further drop to 18% projected by 2025. The prevalence of current smoking for men remains high. Men’s smoking prevalence decreased from 48% in 2000 to 40.5% in 2015, with a further decrease to 36% projected by 2025. Women’s smoking prevalence was much lower, at 2.7% in 2000; this decreased very slightly to 2.2% in 2015, and is projected to decrease further to 2% by 2025. The WHO published prevalence trend estimates in tobacco smoking, as shown here, in their 2018 2nd edition report, which show slightly different smoking prevalence to the WHO country profiles. Data for the estimates are not age standardised, and were obtained from WHO databases. The trend lines are projections, not predictions, of future attainment. A projection indicates a likely endpoint if the country maintains its tobacco control efforts at the same level that it has implemented them to date. Therefore the impact of recent interventions could alter the expected endpoint shown in the projection. While the methods of estimation used in the first and second editions of the WHO report are the same, the volume of data available for the second edition is larger i.e. 200 more national surveys. The results presented are therefore more robust.
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August 30, 2022 by bangkokpost.com
Ban on e-cigarettes to remain
The government has affirmed its stance against vaping, saying e-cigarettes are affecting the health of vapers of whom more than half are considered youths. Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul stressed the need to continue banning e-cigarette imports to protect youths from vaping health risks when he spoke at a national conference on cigarettes and public health held in Bangkok on Monday. A survey conducted by the National Statistical Office of Thailand last year found more than half of the about 80,000 e-cigarette smokers in Thailand were people aged 15 to 24.
July 24, 2022 by pattayamail.com
Thailand bans sales of cannabis e-cigarettes
The National Tobacco Products Control Committee has resolved to ban sales of electronic cigarette products containing cannabis extracts, along with traditional cigarettes and cigars containing cannabis.
The meeting was chaired by Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul. Following the decision, a new guideline will be introduced in the form of ministerial regulations, while rules for e-cigarettes fall under the responsibility of the police and the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society.
July 04, 2022 by nationthailand.com
Ministry tells governors to control cannabis usage in their provinces
Marijuana and hemp were removed from the list of banned narcotics on June 9.
Meanwhile, the order signed by Interior Ministry’s permanent-secretary Suttipong Juljarern on June 30 lists the following guidelines for governors to follow:
• Marijuana and hemp cannot be used for recreation
• Sale or consumption of cannabis/hemp spiked food or beverages is not allowed in government complexes. • Government officials cannot consume marijuana or hemp illegally or in a manner that can affect the image of state officials.
June 22, 2022 by time.com
What Thailand’s Legalization of Marijuana Means for Southeast Asia's War on Drugs
Southeast Asia, a region of 11 countries and some 680 million people, has long been infamous for having the strictest anti-drug laws in the world. But in a sign that regional leaders are mulling a new approach, Thailand became the first country in Asia last week to decriminalize marijuana for medical and other purposes. Smoking weed for fun is still illegal, Thai’s health minister clarified to CNN, but he expects legal cannabis production to boost the economy. Over 3,000 inmates incarcerated in Thai prisons for marijuana-related offenses were also freed.
May 02, 2022 by pattayamail.com
Thailand should allow legal import and sale of e-cigarettes, says Digital Minister
The National Tobacco Products Control Committee is being urged to consider revising its ban on the import and sales of e-cigarettes in Thailand.
Digital Economy and Society Minister Chaiwut Thanakamanusorn said he has submitted a petition to the committee to revise its decision on e-cigarette sales and imports. He said research in 70 countries has shown that e-cigarettes are a safer alternative to conventional cigarettes and that their sale has been subsidized by their governments. If the government allows the legal import and sale of e-cigarettes, it will be able to set selling standards and benefit from a tobacco tax.
April 25, 2022 by bangkokpost.com
Govt 'will not legalise' e-cigarettes
Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul insists the Public Health Ministry will not support legalising electronic cigarettes in the country.
He made his remark on Monday during a meeting with board members of the Thai Health Promotion Foundation (ThaiHealth) to discuss tobacco control. Mr Anutin, in his capacity as chairman of the ThaiHealth board, said he has noticed e-cigarettes trending among teenagers and some of them are aiming to have sales legalised.
"The ministry will not support the legalisation of e-cigarettes," he said.
March 29, 2022 by coconuts.co
Thailand will not lift ban on vaping, citing health threat
Importing and selling e-cigarettes will remain illegal – despite their pervasive use – after the health ministry yesterday advised against lifting the ban.
The continued ban on all types of electronic cigarettes used for vaping will “help protect non-smokers from health hazards,” Health Ministry Perm-Sec Kiattipoom Wongrachit said yesterday at a meeting of the government’s tobacco board.
Kiattipoom added that it was necessary to deter young smokers.
“The ban on the sale of e-cigarettes is an important measure to protect children from victimization,” he said.
January 24, 2022 by nationthailand.com
DES Ministry’s eyes legalising e-cigarettes in bid to cut down on cigarette smokers
Asa Salikupt, from the End Cigarette Smoke Thailand (ECST) network, said the network supports DES Minister Chaiwut Thanakamanusorn’s plan to legalise e-cigarettes and hopes the working group will be transparent, listen to public opinions and allow e-cigarette users to provide information. "We believe the legalisation of e-cigarettes will help Thailand achieve the goal of reducing cigarette smokers and protecting non-smokers from the danger of second-hand smoke,” he said. He also pointed out that the Excise Department can introduce an e-cigarette tax once it’s legalised.
January 14, 2022 by bangkokpost.com
Minister reaffirms support for vaping
Digital Economy and Society Minister Chaiwut Thanakamanusorn said on Friday he would continue efforts to legalise e-cigarettes, which were safer than tobacco and would bring in added tax revenue.
He confirmed his position when he met a group of people campaigning for legalisation at his ministry on Friday.
Mr Chaiwut said legalisation of e-cigarettes would enable the country to tax sales and would provide people who found themselves unable to quit smoking with a safer option.
October 13, 2021 by scoop.co.nz
Thai Minister’s Support For Vaping ‘goes Global’
“The brave call by a Thai Government Minister for Thailand to overturn its harsh ban on the sale of vape products has received applause and accolades from around the world,” says Nancy Loucas, [...] Her comments follow Thailand’s Digital Economy and Society Minister, Chaiwut Thanakamanusorn, telling local media that vaping is safer for people trying to quit smoking. What’s more, he is now looking at ways vaping could be legalised in order to offer a less harmful alternative to smoking regular cigarettes.