E-cigarette users are calling for legalization after a ban proved ineffective

An e-cigarette supporter is calling on Thai authorities to consider legalizing e-cigarettes and introducing age-limiting laws for buyers and sellers to effectively curb their use among children.

Sarit Sitthiserichonthe owner of the Facebook page “Manoodkwan” (Smoker) posted a message on Thursday asking authorities to reconsider measures introduced against e-cigarettes to mark World No Tobacco Day, which takes place on Friday.

“Thailand has been banning e-cigarettes for 10 years, but their use among children and teenagers continues to grow,” said Sarit, whose Facebook page promoting e-cigarettes has more than 25,000 followers.

He also cited a government study that showed e-cigarette use among children aged 13 to 15 increased 5.3-fold from 3.3% in 2015 to 17.6% in 2022.

“This proves conclusively that the e-cigarette ban does not work,” he said. “We should follow the example of the more than 70 countries that legally allow the use of e-cigarettes but impose age restrictions on sellers and buyers to limit the number of young smokers.”