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SCMP’s Asia desk

Thailand has introduced a bold initiative that offers cash rewards to citizens for reporting e-cigarette use to combat the rising trend of vaping and address public health concerns.
The Prime Minister’s office announced the plan on Wednesday, local media reported.
Reports can be made through a government app, and informants who provide tips leading to an arrest may receive up to 60 per cent of the fine imposed. For instance, someone caught using e-cigarettes in public faces a fine of 5,000 baht (US$147), meaning the informant could earn 3,000 baht.
Sellers and smugglers of e-cigarettes are also set to face harsher penalties.
Selling vaping products can result in a maximum jail sentence of three years and a fine of up to 600,000 baht. Smugglers may face 10 years in prison and fines reaching five times the value of the goods.
Citizens are encouraged to include photographs with their complaints to aid investigations.
The government said the initiative aims to reduce e-cigarette use among minors.

Additionally, government officials will receive incentives for their role in enforcing these regulations, according to Thaiger News.
Last month, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra instructed her cabinet to control the prevalence of e-cigarettes within 30 days.
What followed was a week-long nationwide crackdown that resulted in the arrest of 690 suspects involved in selling vaping equipment and the confiscation of products valued at more than 41 million baht, according to Thai media.
Separately, customs officials at Laem Chabang Port near the tourist destination of Pattaya seized 21.8 million baht worth of e-cigarettes last week, Thai News Agency reported.
The 120,000 e-cigarettes were concealed in containers falsely labelled as carrying furniture.
Despite the government’s pledge to crack down on vaping, some lawmakers are advocating for its legalisation.
An ad hoc committee on e-cigarettes in the parliament completed a report on e-cigarette legislation and forwarded it to cabinet for consideration last week.
Out of 35 committee members, 26 reportedly support ending the ban and establishing appropriate legal regulations.


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Thailand has launched an initiative offering cash rewards for reporting e-cigarette use. Photo: Shutterstock

Thailand’s initiative aims to reduce e-cigarette use among minors. Photo: Shutterstock

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Thailand’s new initiative aims to curb vaping and protect public health, with fines and jail terms for offenders


Thailand’s new initiative aims to curb vaping and protect public health, with fines and jail terms for offenders.


Crime

Smoking and vaping