Thailand Offers Cash Rewards for Reporting Vaping Violations
In a bid to curb the rising trend of vaping, particularly among youth, the Thai government has introduced a new tip-off app and cash rewards for reporting e-cigarette use and sales violations. As of March 26th, informants can receive 3,000 baht (approximately $88 USD) if a violator is fined, with penalties for vaping in public set at 5,000 baht (around $147 USD).
The crackdown, which follows Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s February order to control vaping within 30 days, has led to a nationwide operation resulting in 690 arrests and the seizure of vaping products worth over 41 million baht (about $1.2 million USD). The government has also announced hefty penalties for selling and smuggling e-cigarettes, with sellers facing up to three years in prison and a fine of 600,000 baht (roughly $17,600 USD), while smugglers could face up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to five times the product’s value.
Despite the strict measures, some Thai lawmakers are pushing to legalize and regulate e-cigarettes rather than imposing an outright ban. A parliamentary committee recently reported that 26 out of 39 members support this approach and have submitted recommendations to the Cabinet for review.
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