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Senior Thai Police Continue to Warn Vaping is Illegal even as Debate Over Vaping Laws Continues


PHOTO: Bangkok Post

National —

A Thai senior police officer from the Legal and Litigation Department said that anyone caught carrying e-cigarettes or vapes can be fined up to 500,000 baht and get a maximum jail term of five years.

Pol. Lt. Gen. Trairong Phiewphan, head of the department, said Wednesday, February 1st, that e-cigarettes also known as vapes are prohibited products, which cannot be imported into the Kingdom, according to the 2014 and 2016 directives of the Ministry of Commerce.

The statements come after several high profile cases of alleged extortion such as this one with a Taiwanese actress and this one with a group of Chinese tourists have hit Thai news.

People with e-cigarettes in their possession, therefore, violate the law for accepting or owning prohibited products and can be fined up to 500,000 baht and/or get a jail term of up to five years in line with Section 246 and Section 244 of the 2017 Customs Act, said Pol. Lt. Gen. Trairong.

The officer went on to say that vapes are also considered cigarettes because it puts nicotine into the user’s body according to Section 4 of the 2017 Tobacco Products Control Act, meaning it is illegal for vape users to smoke vapes in a prohibited area.

The offenders can face a fine of up to 5,000 baht, said Trairong.

He added that the law can be changed in the future to keep pace with the changing trends but noted that police have a duty to enforce the current laws on record. This comes as some politicians have called for the laws to be changed recently as seen here.

The Pattaya News notes along with information from our legal partners here at Isaan Lawyers that vaping in Thailand has been a controversial topic for some time now, especially of late, with many countries and regions around the world having taken steps to either limit or outright ban its use.

Thailand is one such country, with the Royal Thai Government having announced that it is completely illegal to possess, sell, or use any kind of electronic cigarettes or vaping devices.

This ban was implemented in 2014 and has not been modified since then. Thailand implemented laws surrounding vaping aim to protect the public from any potential health risks associated with the activity.

Vaping, which refers to the inhalation of an aerosol produced by a device such as an electronic cigarette, has been a contentious issue in Thailand as of late.

With worries about the health implications of vaping, the Thai government has decided to bring in a number of legal measures to restrict the activity, such as anyone wishing to vape in Thailand must first obtain a license from the health ministry.

The license is only granted to those over the age of 18 and requires the applicant to provide proof of their age, pass a medical examination, and provide a written statement of consent from their doctor. For more information one can contact Isaan Lawyers here.

It is important to note that while vaping equipment can still be purchased in Thailand, it is illegal and attempting to buy it can lead to serious consequences.

Furthermore, authorities may not always turn a blind eye to its sale and you can be arrested and charged even if you purchase it from a local vendor.

It is also illegal to sell vaping products to those under the legal age, with penalties ranging from a fine to even imprisonment.

Those caught possessing or using any vaping equipment can face prison time and or hefty fines. If caught, one of the first things one should do is contact a lawyer like Issan Lawyers for assistance here.

While purchasing vaping equipment in Thailand is technically still possible, it is highly advised that travelers avoid any involvement with vaping equipment to avoid any legal troubles. It is also important that travel agents and tour operators provide adequate warnings to their guests to ensure their safety.

In addition, it is illegal to vape in public places, such as offices, educational institutions, hospitals, airports and public transport. Offenders may be fined a maximum of 1,000 baht or sent to prison for up to 30 days.

Those found violating this law in Thailand face serious consequences. Both foreign nationals and Thai citizens can be subject to arrest and jail time, as well as fines. This applies to travelers who bring any type of vaping equipment with them, as well as vendors who attempt to sell it.

Furthermore, the British government has issued a warning to its citizens, stating that anyone caught using or selling these devices in Thailand can face severe fines and penalties.

With additional information from our legal partners, Issan Lawyers.
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