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Smoking in Thailand

In Thailand, the tobacco smoking landscape reveals significant insights into the prevalence and impact of smoking among the adult population. As of 2022, there were 10,962,267 smokers aged 15 years and older, indicating a notable decrease from previous years. This indicates that the adult smoking prevalence stood at 18.9%, with a marked gender disparity: 37.7% among males and 1.8% among females. Comparatively, in 2020, these figures were slightly higher, with overall prevalence at 19.4%, 38.2% among males, and 1.9% among females. The adult daily smoking prevalence in 2021 was 15.3%, with 30.5% among males and 1.1% among females. In terms of health impact, smoking-related mortality in 2021 accounted for 10.59% of all deaths in the country, translating to 66,327 deaths, with 15.6% of all male deaths and 4.08% of all female deaths. These statistics underscore the critical public health challenges posed by tobacco smoking in Thailand, necessitating continued public health efforts to mitigate its detrimental health effects.

Read articles from Thailand

November 08, 2022 by bangkokpost.com

'Teen vaping crisis' drives public unease

A domestic tobacco control network has voiced concern about young children smoking e-cigarettes.

A member of the national tobacco product control board said there has been a spike in the number of teenagers who vape.

According to a survey on Thai people's health conducted in 2019 and 2020, 5.3% of children aged 10 to 19 years have tried vaping, and 2.9% do so regularly. Around 30% of people in this age bracket who smoke e-cigarettes are women, the study showed.

October 31, 2022 by bangkokpost.com

Vaping ban fails to do its job

Despite Thailand's ban on e-cigarettes, they are easily available online. Worse, consumers are subject to heavy lobbying from the vaping industry, which spreads disinformation in its bid to end the ban. The government must put a stop to this dirty business. The ban on e-cigarettes has been in effect since 2014. The Public Health Ministry says the vapour from e-cigarettes contains nicotine, which is highly addictive and harmful to health. The ban also applies to refills and other vaping equipment with punishment to both vendors and vapers if the law is enforced.

 

September 26, 2022 by thethaiger.com

Pro vaping group calls on govt to legalise e-cigarettes

The director of a pro-e-cigarette group in Thailand believes legalizing the activity would not only lead to more control over vaping amongst the kingdom’s youth but make it safer than the dreaded cancer stick.

A survey conducted by the National Statistical Office of Thailand last year found more than half of the kingdom’s 80,000 e-cigarette smokers were people aged between 15 to 24. With that survey in mind, Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul earlier this month stressed the need to continue banning e-cigarette imports to protect the nation’s teenagers from vaping health risks.

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.