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 2024, there were 10.7 million smokers aged 15 years and older, indicating a notable decrease from previous years. This indicates that the adult current smoking prevalence was 17.7%, with a marked gender disparity: 35% among males and 1.5% among females. In comparison, 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 impacts.
Read articles from Thailand
February 27, 2025 by thestar.com.my
Cartoon-shaped e-cigarettes, or toy pods, pose health risks to children, Thai expert warns
Toy pods, a new type of e-cigarettes designed to resemble cartoon characters, may pose health risks to children, warned Assistant Professor Srirat Lapyai from the Product Watch project on Feb 27. These e-cigarettes, available in Thailand since mid-2024, are accessible to primary school children, prompting concerns from parents. They come in various shapes, including toys, candy boxes, juice cartons, and keychains, and are available in flavors like strawberry, mango, and blueberry. Lapyai highlighted that the cartoon-like design is part of a harm reduction strategy, making e-cigarettes appear more appealing.
February 24, 2025 by thesun.my
Thailand PM orders nationwide crackdown on e-cigarettes
Thailand's PM has ordered a crackdown on e-cigarettes due to widespread sales, with officials facing consequences if complicit. Over 3,000 items worth 2 million baht were seized in a recent raid in Bangkok. Concerns of corruption and negligence among law enforcement were raised, with shops openly operating, possibly with police involvement. The situation has escalated, with reports of illicit substances in e-cigarettes causing youth fatalities. A proposed task force, the Doraemon Task Force, aims to combat e-cigarettes designed to appeal to children and youth. Strict actions are urged to address the increasing use of e-cigarettes among young people.
January 08, 2025 by planetofthevapes.co.uk
Public Health Win in Thailand
CAPHRA supports Thailand's shift towards more inclusive e-cigarette regulations for harm reduction, highlighting the importance of considering all stakeholders' perspectives. The committee aims to present alternative solutions by December, moving beyond prohibition to regulate e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products. The organisation advocates for evidence-based policies that do not criminalize e-cigarette users, while addressing youth use concerns and recognizing benefits for adult smokers. They believe Thailand's approach could be a positive model for the region, promoting public health and individual choice. CAPHRA encourages further research, dialogue, and collaboration with stakeholders to improve harm reduction outcomes.
December 09, 2024 by bangkokpost.com
Health advocates denounce e-cigarette legalisation plans
Health advocates criticize plans to legalize e-cigarettes in Thailand due to concerns of bias and public health impacts. Suggestions to lift the ban on e-cigarettes, legalise heated tobacco products, or legalize all e-cigarettes clash with global anti-e-cigarette trends. Experts highlight the need for strict control measures, citing risks of youth addiction and healthcare costs. Advocates emphasize the importance of protecting public health, especially children, and stress the financial burden and societal impacts of smoking-related illnesses. Additionally, they point out contradictions in arguments for economic benefits through e-cigarette legalization.
October 08, 2024 by bangkokpost.com
Rehab push to address youth vaping
The Public Health Ministry aims to rehabilitate 20,000 young vape users to combat the widespread use of e-cigarettes among teenagers. Minister Somsak Thepsutin's plan includes hospital screenings to bring smokers into the rehabilitation system. Concerns raised by Senator Premsak Piayura highlighted the urgency of addressing the issue, with statistics showing a significant rise in underage vaping. The ministry's framework focuses on monitoring, law enforcement, and awareness campaigns to tackle the problem effectively. Additionally, a joint committee has been formed to enforce regulations, resulting in the seizure of over 60,000 vaping products.
August 23, 2024 by planetofthevapes.co.uk
Thai Concern Over Smoking
Thai officials are concerned about smoking related illnesses and death, but they still won’t accept that vaping offers a reduced harm approach by means of a solution. Last week, another official sent out a statement regarding smoking-related dangers. Meanwhile, the national tobacco industry continues to pump out cigarettes and the nonsensical ban on vaping leads to corruption and a booming black market.
July 25, 2024 by independent.co.uk
Thailand Decides Not to Re-Criminalise Cannabis as It Eyes $1bn Medicinal Industry
Thailand will regulate cannabis for medicinal use instead of re-listing the plant as a narcotic, the deputy prime minister said on Tuesday, in the government's U-turn on its previous policy. Prime minister Srettha Thavisin had vowed to make cannabis illegal by the end of 2024, just two years after Thailand became one of the first countries in Asia to decriminalise marijuana.
June 17, 2024 by bangkokpost.com
Teachers get power to seize e-cigarettes
Teachers nationwide are now empowered to confiscate e-cigarettes in schools, as authorized by the Education and Commerce Ministries. This measure aims to address the worrying trend of students using e-cigarettes, which can harm their health and development. Despite efforts by Obec and police, the issue persists due to limitations on seizing items without police intervention. The proactive initiative allows educators to enforce anti-smoking laws, protecting students from the risks of vaping. This move follows Bangkok's initiative to make schools e-cigarette-free, enabling thorough bag checks and education on vaping dangers.
October 23, 2023 by bangkokpost.com
Are vape laws vapid?
Over the past several years, we have seen the world wake up to the question of whether vapes and e-cigarettes are a better alternative to tobacco, which is well documented as harmful to our health. Authorities in the UK are preparing to ban the sale and manufacture of single-use vapes by next year [...] We have witnessed a growing debate over the safety of vaping in Thailand, where it is illegal but nonetheless widely available. The question is whether vapes and e-cigarettes are as harmful as traditional tobacco products. People are also concerned about the reasons behind the ban, and whether or not smokers should switch to vaping for better health.
September 18, 2023 by bangkokpost.com
Most parents back vape ban: study
Most parents of students agree the new government should maintain the current ban on the import and sale of e-cigarettes, citing the potential health risk, according to the Research Centre for Social and Business Development (SAB). Suriyan Boontae, deputy director of the SAB, said 91% of the 5,582 respondents nationwide supported a continuation of the ban, saying it would limit young people's exposure to smoking. The survey was conducted among 4,087 parents of students from upper primary to high schools. The other respondents were teachers and school administrators.