BANGKOK, THAILAND – The Thai government has launched an aggressive campaign to confront a nationwide surge in e-cigarette use, ordering a complete revision of its tobacco control law in an effort to protect young people from nicotine addiction.
Steep growth in vaping triggers alarm
The decision followed a cabinet meeting in which officials reviewed new figures from the National Statistical Office, showing that the number of people aged 15 and older using e-cigarettes had risen from 78,252 in 2021 to more than 400,000 in 2024 — an increase exceeding 500 percent.
According to Deputy Government Spokesperson Airin Phanrit, the cabinet has approved an urgent amendment of the 2017 Tobacco Products Control Act. The Ministry of Public Health was appointed to lead the legislative overhaul with a clear goal: to stop what health authorities describe as an epidemic of addiction spreading among Thai youth.
Government outlines tougher restrictions
The upcoming amendments are expected to tighten every aspect of regulation. Authorities plan to extend strict controls on the production, import, sale, advertising, and use of e-cigarettes and similar new tobacco products. These activities are already restricted under existing law, but enforcement will now be intensified both offline and online, particularly targeting digital marketplaces.
A key feature of the plan is a nationwide public education campaign aimed at delivering “accurate and comprehensive information” about the dangers of vaping. Officials said the messaging will focus heavily on young people, who have become frequent targets of online marketing strategies.
In addition, the Office of the Prime Minister is preparing a new regulation to limit the influence of the tobacco industry in policymaking — a step the government says is necessary to prevent interference in public health matters.
Health ministry warns of rising youth risks
The Ministry of Public Health issued a strong warning about the consequences of nicotine exposure for minors, explaining that addiction can alter the development of brain functions controlling attention, learning, and impulse regulation.
“THE IMPACT ON THE YOUNG BRAIN IS SIGNIFICANT AND LONG-LASTING,”
officials cautioned.
The ministry also cited medical reports linking vaping to higher risks of depression and suicidal behavior, along with cases of vape-related lung inflammation severe enough to require mechanical ventilation. The majority of those affected were teenagers or young adults.
Online sales and youth marketing under scrutiny
An investigation by the Ministry of Commerce identified online trade and aggressive marketing strategies as key drivers of the rapid increase in users. Sellers have promoted products using colorful devices, sweet flavors, and social media campaigns clearly appealing to younger audiences.
Officials said a final report containing the proposed legal amendments is due within 30 days. Once approved, it will form the basis of a national enforcement plan designed to curb the sale and use of e-cigarettes and to ensure that Thailand’s youth are shielded from what officials call a fast-growing health threat.
Debate continues amid strong government resolve
The government’s strict approach has drawn both praise and criticism. Supporters see the move as a necessary intervention to protect public health, while some critics argue it amounts to a de facto ban that could raise questions about enforcement and fairness.
Still, senior officials have maintained that the policy is vital for the country’s future.
“TOO MANY YOUNG PEOPLE HAVE BECOME ADDICTED IN TOO SHORT A TIME,”
one statement read, emphasizing that prevention now outweighs any commercial concerns.
With the number of vapers multiplying in just three years, the government appears determined to act swiftly — signaling that Thailand’s next tobacco law could become one of the toughest in the region.