Thailand is cracking down on the alarming trend of e-cigarette and vaping use among young students. With more than 25% of students regularly vaping, the government is implementing strict measures to combat the increasing popularity of these nicotine products. Flavored vape liquids are enticing youngsters to try e-cigarettes, and peer pressure and social media play a significant role in promoting this behavior.
The Office of the Basic Education Commission (Obec) is taking decisive action to address the issue. Personal belongings searches will be conducted in schools to crackdown on vapes following a surge in their use among students. Thee Pawangkanan, Deputy Secretary-General of Obec, expressed the government’s concern over the rising number of students aged 13 to 15 using e-cigarettes. Shockingly, there have even been instances of vaping among first graders aged 6 to 7, making them the youngest smokers. This alarming situation prompted Education Minister Permpoon Chidchob, Deputy Education Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul, and Obec Secretary-General Thanu Wongjinda to task Mr. Thee with addressing the issue.
Obec plans to raise awareness about the dangers of e-cigarettes among teachers, students, and parents. One challenge is that vapes are designed to resemble cartoon characters and have fruity smells, making them appear safe and appealing to young people. However, Mr. Thee emphasized that records demonstrate the serious harm that vapes can cause to the lungs. He urged parents to be vigilant and help address this issue by educating their children about the dangers of using both regular cigarettes and e-cigarettes.
To prevent the presence of dangerous and illicit commodities in schools, Obec will implement bag searches for students before they enter classrooms starting on May 15, the first day of the new term. This measure aims to identify and confiscate any unlawful or unsuitable materials, including e-cigarettes.
In addition to these efforts, the Customs Department has been actively combating the smuggling of cigarettes and vapes into the country. Between March 1 and April 5, they apprehended 211 smugglers and seized cigarettes and vapes worth 34.11 million baht. Phantong Loykulnanta, the Customs Department’s main adviser on duty collection management and development, emphasized the government’s commitment to enforcing Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s stance against these illegal activities.
The use of e-cigarettes among schoolchildren in Thailand has jumped by over 17 percent, reflecting a worrying trend that requires immediate attention. The government’s strict measures, including personal belongings searches and raising awareness about the dangers of vaping, demonstrate their commitment to curbing this epidemic. Parents, teachers, and students must work together to address this issue and protect the health and well-being of young people in Thailand.