Thailand PM Orders Nationwide Crackdown on Illegal E-Cigarette Sales

Thailand’s Prime Minister, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, has ordered a sweeping crackdown on the illegal sale and distribution of e-cigarettes, warning that any officials found aiding or neglecting enforcement will face serious consequences.

Government spokesperson Jirayu Huangsap confirmed on Monday that the directive follows increasing reports of rampant e-cigarette sales despite strict regulations.

Law enforcement agencies recently conducted a major raid in Bangkok’s Kannayao and Khok Kham districts, confiscating over 3,000 illegal e-cigarette products valued at more than 2 million baht. Jirayu emphasized that such operations indicate a widespread failure in regulatory enforcement.

“These vendors were operating in broad daylight, raising concerns about potential police complicity,” he said.

Jirayu highlighted that numerous shops selling e-cigarettes have been found near schools, with allegations that some law enforcement officers accepted bribes to ignore violations. The increasing accessibility of e-cigarettes to minors has alarmed health officials, with reports of dangerous chemicals being mixed into the devices, leading to severe lung damage and even fatalities.

“The average age of e-cigarette users is dropping, with children as young as 14 now exposed to harmful substances,” Jirayu warned. “This is no longer just an enforcement issue—it’s a national public health crisis.”

In response, Jirayu suggested forming a specialized task force to oversee e-cigarette enforcement nationwide. He proposed naming it the Doraemon Task Force after the toy-like designs of some e-cigarette devices that target young consumers.