Thailand is addicted to “e-cigarettes” in the past 2 years, increasing 10 times. The National Health Commission and partners are concerned about children’s access to harmful media.
Today (February 12, 2024) the reporter reported that on February 9, 2024 The National Health Commission Office (NHCO) organized a meeting on the development of public policies on issues related to the control of e-cigarettes on creating awareness/communication and on application of the laws, with Prof. Emeritus Dr. Suwanna Rueangkanjanaseth The chairman of the Committee on Public Policy Development on E-Cigarette Control is the president, in which many representatives of the network of related agencies participate.
Prof. Dr. Suwanna revealed that what is urgently needed to find a common solution at this time is to create awareness about the dangers and addiction of e-cigarettes in children, youth and the public. It was found that in society there are still many misconceptions about electronic cigarettes. Especially in the last two years the e-cigarette epidemic has significantly intensified. Whether the number of people who smoke among the general population aged 15 years and older has increased from 78,000 people in 2021 to 700,000 people in 2022, or whether it has increased 10-fold, and what is extremely concerning is the rate of E-cigarette use among Thai schoolchildren aged 13-15 increased from 8.1% in 2021 to 17.6% in 2022.
Prof. Dr. Suwanna said that in the past, sales of traditional rolled cigarettes have declined across the world. This is the result of a long campaign of harm and danger, but when cigarette companies began to no longer be able to survive, Therefore, we found that electric cigarettes represent a new innovation in the industry. Creating the illusion that it IS safer than rolled cigarettes, butCurrently, academic information has confirmed that E-cigarettes are not safe at all. It is clear that it took 30-50 years for rolled cigarettes to start being reported as causing cancer in various parts of the body, but with e-cigarettes, which have only been around for no more than 15 years, there are now reports Increases the chance of getting cancer 2.2 times more than people who don’t smoke.
“OH.The one thing e-cigarettes claim to be true is that they contain no tar or tar produced by burning like a cigarette. But the remaining 7,000 chemicals are the same. What’s worse is that e-cigarettes contain synthetic nicotine. This allows the body to absorb a larger, faster and unlimited amount. This is different from cigarettes, which contain a fixed amount of natural nicotine from the factory. And the important thing is The preparation of e-cigarette liquids until they are fragrant, sweet and with more than 16,000 flavors, which has become the main reason why children and young people around the world choose to smoke. And it can also be addictive. It has not been found to help quit smoking in any way,” said Prof. Dr. Suwanna.
Mr Wasin Phipatthanachat The Secretary of the Policy Development Committee said that there are 4 laws related to the control of e-cigarettes in Thailand: 1. Ministry of Commerce BE 2014 announcement establishing import ban. 2. Consumer Protection Council Ordinance no. 9/2015 prohibits sales and prohibits services. 3. The BE Customs Law 2017 prohibits import and prohibits possession. 4. Tobacco Products Control Act 2017 prohibits smoking in public areas. All this involves both fines and imprisonment.
“If you consider the legal status E-cigarettes can be compared to drugs. Because there are bans on imports, sales and services. Including the prohibition on possession. The question is: how is it available in the hands of ordinary people today? So it is an issue where we need to create awareness of the law. Because there are still a lot of people who don’t understand it. Including having to come together to find guidelines for surveillance. Apply the law and confirm the need for policies and measures to prevent and suppress the spread of e-cigarettes,” Wasin said.
While Prof. Emeritus Dr. Prakit Watheesathakakit The policy development committee advisor said that currently most teenagers do not smoke cigarettes. But he immersed himself in the use of e-cigarettes Because they don’t know the danger. And because of marketing A survey of Thai high school students found that 35% did not believe that e-cigarettes caused pneumonia and 40% did not believe that they caused heart attacks. Even though these things have been clinically proven and have been reported. It is therefore necessary to give children, young people and society the right knowledge and understanding.
side Mr Suthipong Wasusophapol The Deputy Secretary General of the National Council for Peace and Order said that it is difficult. We believe, however, that it is not beyond the capabilities of the network partners to jointly bring this issue to success.
Journalists reported this. As for the policy proposals discussed this time, there are 8 points: 1. Integrate teaching and learning about the dangers and marketing of e-cigarettes. In the education system at every level 2.Unite to spread the dangers and addiction of e-cigarettes. and be an example of not smoking 3. Pay attention to content regarding the use of e-cigarettes across various media. 4. Seriously suppress e-cigarettes. Sales both on site and online Ready to follow and discover the origins of the perpetrators of the crime. 5. Propose that the government maintains the policy banning the importation of e-cigarettes. 6.Unite to observe and expose the strategies of cigarette manufacturing companies. Ready to prevent interference with tobacco control policies through various channels 7. Monitor, crack down on and take legal action against e-cigarette shops. Including guidelines for online platform service providers. Logistics activities Postal activities and private transport 8. Communicate together to make networks at all levels aware of the importance and joint protection of children and young people from e-cigarette addiction. as well as monitoring the marketing of e-cigarettes aimed at children and young people at a local level
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