In Thailand, health experts warn of the precocity of vapers

In Thailand, health associations warn of the increase in e-cigarette use among children and adolescents[1]A nationwide survey conducted by the Department of Health Services (DHSS) in 2025 among 40,344 young Thais revealed that the largest group of e-cigarette users is 19-25 year olds, who account for 37.62 billion of the total. This was followed by 16-18 year olds with 29.26 billion, and 13-15 year olds with 22.39 billion. Isolated cases of much younger children, including a six-year-old user, have made a public impression.

Proven health risks and high costs

According to the Thai Health Promotion Foundation (ThaiHealth), these data highlight the influence of peers and targeted marketing campaigns, which present vaping as a "trendy" or harmless activity. For many teenagers, the commonplace nature of vaping, even at meals, in the car, or in family spaces, illustrates this normalization.

Peer influence is a major factor, with 45.56 % of respondents citing their friends as the reason they tried e-cigarettes.[2]Social media also plays a significant role in exposure, with Facebook being the leading platform for e-cigarette ads with 27.88 %, closely followed by TikTok with 27.60 %.

Health experts point out that nicotine harms brain and lung development in young people, promoting addiction and learning disabilities. The Thai High Commissioner for Human Rights reminded the prime minister of the dangers of early nicotine exposure. Recent studies, including those from Ramathibodi Hospital, estimate that vaping-related illnesses cost the country around 306 million baht (8.2 million euros) in 2024, some of which are linked to the use of uncontrolled substances such as cannabis oil.

The World Health Organization (WHO), based on scientific evidence, states that vaping is harmful and addictive, and calls for stricter policies in response to industry strategies targeting young people. Dr. Jos Vandelaer, WHO representative in Thailand, called for joint action, stating that " The tobacco industry uses subtle tactics to attract young people. We must educate them about these dangers and strengthen our policies so that these companies cannot harm our healthcare systems. ".

An illegal market difficult to control

Although simply possessing an e-cigarette is not illegal in Thailand, users can still be prosecuted under smuggling rules and face up to five years in prison or fines equivalent to four times the product's price. Importers and sellers face even harsher penalties, with prison sentences of up to 10 years or fines equivalent to five times the value of the illegal goods.

Despite this official ban, the products remain widely available. The parallel market is estimated at between 3 and 6 billion baht (between 96 and 161 million euros), fueled by clandestine imports and local production. Disposable e-cigarettes, often imported from China, are sold in cities such as Bangkok, Pattaya, and Phuket, as well as online and on social media. These unregulated products raise concerns about their quality and safety. Massive seizures have taken place since late 2024, with hundreds of arrests and tens of thousands of products confiscated.

Authorities note that many items are specifically designed to appeal to young people, with shapes inspired by cartoon characters (such as the ever-popular Doraemon), bright colors and more than 16,000 sweet flavors.

To combat this phenomenon, the government launched a nationwide campaign in 2025 that included the closure of retail outlets, the blocking of thousands of websites, and a citizen reporting system via the Thang Rath mobile app so that citizens could report illegal activities and obtain up to 60,000 fines collected. Between late February and early March 2025, 690 people were arrested in 666 vaping-related cases, and nearly 455,000 vaping items were confiscated. To combat online commerce, the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society has blocked 9,515 URLs linked to illegal sales between March 2024 and March 2025.

ThaiHealth, with the support of the WHO and the High Commission, is now calling for a revision of the Tobacco Control Act to include all new products, as well as strengthened educational campaigns in schools. The stated aim is to curb youth access to vaping products and better protect their long-term health. A spokesperson for ThaiHealth said: " We must not let the tobacco industry take advantage of our children. Stricter laws are needed to protect the next generation. ".

©Generation Without Tobacco

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[1]Jeff Tomas, Study Finds Children as Young as 6 Being Drawn into Vaping, CTN News, published September 4, 2025, accessed September 9, 2025

[2]Apinya Wipatayotin, 6-year-olds now vaping, survey finds, Bangkok Post, published September 4, 2025, accessed September 9, 2025

National Committee Against Smoking |