Thailand’s Nicotine Vape Ban Harms Consumers and Public Health
BANGKOK, TH – Last week, the Thai House of Representatives approuvé a report proposing three potential approaches to regulating vaping and heated tobacco devices, reinforcing the existing ban, regulating HTPs while maintaining a vape ban, or legalizing both under stern regulations.
However, defying harm reduction efforts, lawmakers dismissed legalization, citing dubious concerns about health concerns, youth access and enforcement challenges. This effort is not just misguided, but an assault on consumer choice and effective harm reduction.
Shrey Madaan et Tarmizi Anuwar, regional representatives of the global consumer advocacy group Centre de choix des consommateurs, criticized Thailand’s denialism that will continue to harm adult consumers.
"Prohibition doesn’t eliminate demand—it fuels black markets. This is evident in countries that have imposed vaping bans, only to see illegal trade flourish,” said Shrey Madaan, India Policy Associate.
"Bhutan’s tobacco ban, once praised as a model for public health, collapsed under the weight of rampant smuggling, forcing the government to reverse course. When governments outlaw safer alternatives while leaving combustible cigarettes on the shelves, they create a perfect storm for organized crime and lost tax revenue,” added Madaan.
The claim that banning vapes and heated tobacco products is essential to protect youth is flawed. Flavored vape products are 2.3 times more effective at helping adult smokers switch from cigarettes. The real health crisis isn’t an alternative nicotine product but continued dominance of the traditional tobacco market.
Thai policymakers are turning blind eye to concrete scientific evidence that establishes vaping and heated tobacco products are significantly safer alternatives to smoking. Santé publique Angleterre’s finding has suggested that vaping is about 95% less harmful than traditional cigarettes.
Nations like the UK and Sweden have embraced harm reduction, leading to sharp decline in smoking rates and smoking related deaths. Suède, which permits use of nicotine pouches, snus and vapes has observed a 55% decline in smoking in a decade and has cancer rates 41% lower than Europe’s average. Japon has also observed a drop in cigarette consumption following the introduction of heat-not-burn devices.
“The best solution is not an outright ban but a more holistic approach through education and awareness,” said Tarmizi Anuwar, Malaysia Country Associate.
“An effective approach should focus on consumer education and parental responsibility rather than merely enforcing bans that may ultimately encourage the black market. Awareness campaigns based on facts, rather than fear-based tactics, should be promoted to educate young people about making better choices and the consequences of irresponsible nicotine use. Additionally, parents play a crucial role in monitoring and guiding their children in making informed decisions. Effective regulations must balance consumer freedom with regulatory mechanisms that do not infringe on individuals’ rights to choose,” concluded Anuwar.
Thailand remains a hotspot for cigarette tourism, with smoking rates exceeding 19%, much higher than the global average. Rather than embracing proven harm reduction tools, lawmakers are doubling down on prohibition. Previous attempts at modernizing the law have unfortunately fallen short.
La Centre de choix des consommateurs believes there’s a dire need to focus on smart regulation and consumer awareness. If Thailand truly desires to curb smoking-related deaths, it should follow the science, not outdated fears.
The CCC represents consumers in over 100 countries across the globe. We closely monitor regulatory trends in state and national capitals, as well as other hotspots of regulation, and inform and activate consumers to fight for #ConsumerChoice.
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