Thailand’s Strict Vaping Ban: The Policy and Its Consequences

Extreme measures, startling consequences and a thriving black market.

The need for risk-proportionate smoking policies and the benefits of tobacco harm reduction strategies are, ironically, often most clearly seen in countries that are strictly against such measures. The Kingdom of Thailand is one such nation. With a total ban on e-cigarettes dating back to 2014, the country’s ‘solution’ to claims of youth vaping has spiralled into a situation of total crackdown, heavy consequences and a booming black market. This article breaks down the intentional and unintentional harm found in such responses, and how THR policies can provide a better way.

The Thai Embassy in Sweden and London both warn potential travellers about the prohibition of e-cigarettes in Thailand. Their websites share that anyone found with vaping-related contraband can be ‘arrested and face jail time, or a fine several times the value of the illegal item(s).’ This law applies to tourists and local citizens.

It is interesting to note how both embassies begin sharing about the ban by stating that ‘While electronic cigarettes or e-cigarettes are used around the world as a way of helping people quit smoking…’, thereby acknowledging the acceptance of e-cigarettes as a tool to help smokers quit. They go on to explicitly say so when they share ‘many may ask why a device designed to aid people in quitting the habit is being banned in Thailand.’ Sweden and the UK are two nations that have successfully embraced harm reduction strategies and have seen a significant corresponding benefit in the public health of their population by doing so. However, here these nations acknowledge that the Thai government cites health and concern about youth use as their reason for the ban, sharing this information so that their travelling citizens don’t find themselves in a legal situation.

Unfortunately, there have been famous cases in 2017, 2019 and 2023 of tourists being fined, jailed and even deported for vaping. In fact, the laws allow for a fine of up to 30,000 THB and a jail sentence of up to 10 years.

Despite such extreme measures and their victims, Thailand has been critisized by the WHO for not enforcing its ban strongly enough. While praised for the prohibition, the WHO demanded more concrete enforcement and monitoring as vaping still occurs across the nation. This is mainly attributed to the vaping black market that has emerged in the wake of the ban – a documented occurrence in countries around the world where THR alternatives are prohibited or overly regulated.

With this illegal vaping market, the World Vaper’s Alliance shares how ‘The black market for vapes is thriving in Thailand, and you can buy disposable vapes on every street corner in big cities or small islands. It doesn’t matter where you go; you will find colorful devices in various flavors in the street markets; you can even order online and get it delivered to your door.’ In 2019, the overall value of Thailand’s illegal e-cigarette market was estimated to be between 3 to 6 billion THB. Despite its size, this market is still only 5% of Thailand’s entire tobacco industry – once again bringing home the need for smokers to have a safe, legal alternative. Black market vapes are neither safe nor legal as the prohibition of all regulations results in the lack of any when these products are bought and sold across the nation.

Although Thailand has not shown much interest in moving from its extreme stance, movement in neighbouring countries, such as the Philippines, and the clear evidence of success in other nations, such as Sweden and the UK, may encourage this kingdom to reconsider. Thailand clearly understands the benefits of regulating what is already in use, with its 2022 legalization of marijuana, and we can only hope that it extends this understanding to harm reduction as well.