Advertisement
Advertise with us
sidenav

Cabinet Minister Wants to Reverse Thailand's Vaping Ban

Advertisement
Advertise with us

Thailand is known for its ban on vape product sales—and its harsh, drug war-style enforcement of the ban. But one Thai cabinet minister has decided to swim against the tide and support legalization of e-cigarettes.

Chaiwut Thanakamanusorn, the Minister of Digital Economy and Society, told the Bangkok Post this week that he is looking at ways to make vaping available in the country as an alternative to smoking. Thanakamanusorn says there are at least 10 million smokers in Thailand who could benefit.

Thanakamanusorn suggested that tobacco grown in Thailand could be used to extract nicotine for vaping products, which would benefit both Thai farmers and the Tobacco Authority of Thailand, the state-run monopoly that controls tobacco sales in the country. Countries with state-owned tobacco industries often ban or severely restrict vape product sales.

The minister will need all the friends he can get, because tobacco control groups are already lining up to oppose Thanakamanusorn’s suggestion to legalize vaping—even though no actual law or rule has been proposed yet.

"Various elements of society, both government and non-government, have been working hard to reduce the number of smokers, so legalising e-cigarettes will only exacerbate the situation," said Somsri Pausawasdi, chair of the National Alliance for a Tobacco-Free Thailand (NATFT). The NATFT has more than 900 member groups, according to the Post.

Tobacco Control Research and Knowledge Management Center (TRC) Director Ronnachai Kongsakon told the Post that e-cigarettes “are not safer choices for people who want to quit smoking while knowledge about their long-term effects on health remains limited for now."

He added that international tobacco control group The Union has advised bans on vaping product sales in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The Union’s anti-vaping evangelism is partly funded by Bloomberg Philanthropies, which has spent more than $1 billion on anti-tobacco and vaping activism over the last decade.

Unfortunately, Bloomberg also funds World Health Organization (WHO) tobacco control activities. The WHO encourages countries to sing from the Bloomberg hymnal by presenting slanted, Bloomberg-funded science as justification, and offering public praise to politicians and bureaucrats who follow the prohibitionist party line.

Advertisement
Advertise with us
Latest Reviews
Article preview image
Freemax REXA PRO & REXA SMART Review: Too Smart?

The Freemax REXA PRO and REXA SMART are highly advanced pod vapes, offering seemingly endless features, beautiful touchscreens, and new DUOMAX pods.

Wed Jul 30 2025
Article preview image
OXVA XLIM Pro 2 DNA Review: A Match Made in Heaven!

The OXVA XLIM Pro 2 DNA is powered by a custom-made Evolv DNA chipset, offering a Replay function and dry hit protection. Read our review to find out more.

Fri Jul 18 2025
Article preview image
SKE Bar Review: A Reusable Crystal Bar!

The SKE Bar is a 2 mL replaceable pod vape with a 500 mAh battery, a 1.2-ohm mesh coil, and 35 flavors to choose from in 2% nicotine.

Mon Jul 7 2025
Advertisement
Advertise with us
Latest Learn
vaping taxes
Vaping Taxes in the United States and Around the World

Because of declining cigarette sales, state governments in the U.S. and countries around the world are looking to vapor products as a new source of tax revenue.

Thu Jul 31 2025
How Old Do You Have to Be to Vape?
How Old Do You Have to Be to Vape?

The legal age to buy e-cigarettes and other vaping products varies around the world. The United States recently changed the legal minimum sales age to 21.

Tue Jul 1 2025
Where vaping is banned or restricted
Vape Bans: E-Cigarette Restrictions in the U.S. and Worldwide

A list of vaping product flavor bans and online sales bans in the United States, and sales and possession bans in other countries.

Fri Jul 4 2025
About Authors
Jim McDonald
844 posts

Smokers created vaping for themselves without help from the tobacco industry or anti-tobacco crusaders, and I believe vapers and the vaping industry have the right to continue innovating to give everyone who wants to use nicotine access to safe and attractive non-combustible options. My goal is to provide clear, honest information about vaping and the challenges nicotine consumers face from lawmakers, regulators, and brokers of disinformation. You can find me on Twitter @whycherrywhy

See author’s profile
Vaping360.com strives to be the world's most trusted resource for vapers and smokers. We take pride in our editorial integrity, accuracy, and the honesty of our writers.
Read more about us

Rely on Our Expertise

At Vaping360, we take pride in our deep expertise and years of experience in the vaping industry. Our dedicated team of professionals is committed to leveraging their extensive knowledge to meet your needs and exceed your expectations.

Authenticity

Genuine insights backed by thorough and exhaustive research and testing.

Reliability

Consistent, accurate information from the vaping industry experts.

Empowerment

Transparent and reliable content for confident and informed decision-making.

About us

Our mission is clear: to help people who smoke transition to low-risk alternatives and contribute to a smoke-free world. With each article we publish and each review we conduct, we're working towards this goal.

about-us-banner
product preview