Thailand Declares War on Illegal Vapes with New Control Centre
The Royal Thai Police has officially established the E-Cigarette Control Centre (ECCC), signaling a major escalation in Thailand’s fight against illicit vaping. This development, announced during an inaugural meeting on June 29, 2026, at the Royal Thai Police Headquarters, sets the stage for a highly coordinated, nationwide enforcement operation scheduled from July 1 to July 15, 2026.
Under the leadership of Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, the Thai government has elevated the spread of e-cigarettesāparticularly among children and young peopleāto a national security priority. Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office Suphamas Isarabhakdi emphasized that vaping is no longer just a public health issue, but a critical social threat.
To combat this crisis, the government has outlined three immediate strategic priorities:
- Protecting children and youth through vape-free school pilot projects in nine provinces.
- Dismantling physical production, smuggling, and distribution networks.
- Strengthening cyber enforcement to block websites and online platforms selling e-cigarettes.
Deputy National Police Chief Pol Gen Nirandorn Lueamsri has instructed police forces nationwide to intensify investigations into major distributors. Crucially, enforcement will target vape liquids laced with etomidate, a powerful sedative that has increasingly infiltrated the illegal market.
To permanently disrupt these syndicates, authorities will prosecute offenders under all applicable laws, including anti-money laundering legislation to freeze financial networks. The public is also urged to report illegal vaping activities via the 24-hour police hotline (1599) or the Police Care mobile application.
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