Chaiwut ups vape campaign

Digital Economy and Society Minister Chaiwut Thanakamanusorn said on Friday he would push on with efforts to legalise e-cigarettes, despite the health risks critics say they pose.

Mr Chaiwut confirmed his position at a meeting with people campaigning for the legalisation of vapes and the like at his ministry.

Mr Chaiwut said legalising e-cigarettes would enable the country to tax their sales and would provide a safer option for those unable to quit smoking regular cigarettes.

He said he will form a working group to study the matter and invite people to sign in support of a request next month that the Constitutional Court should rule on whether banning imports of e-cigarettes violates the rights of the public, especially their right to enjoy access to less harmful products.

This would be followed by forums and seminars to expand public knowledge about e-cigarettes,…