BANGKOK, Thailand – Minister Attached to the Prime Minister’s Office, Ms. Jiraporn Sindhuprai, was presented with the “The Hero: Protector of Thai Children from E-Cigarettes” award by the Tobacco Control Research and Knowledge Management Center (TRC), Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University. The recognition was part of the 23rd National Conference on Tobacco and Health, held under the theme “Unmasking the E-Cigarette Industry: Raising Awareness Among the New Generation.”
The event brought together 23 partner networks and 9 youth groups working to advance tobacco control in Thailand. Organized to raise awareness and promote national efforts, the conference featured academic forums, research presentations, and youth engagement activities.
The government has intensified its crackdown on illegal e-cigarette sales, especially targeting online platforms and shops near schools. Between 26 February and 2 August 2025, authorities handled 3,157 cases, seizing over 2.9 million items valued at more than 579 million baht, exceeding the totals of both 2023 and 2024. In addition, more than 11,000 illegal URLs related to e-cigarettes were shut down.
These measures reflect the government’s commitment to protecting young people from harmful products through law enforcement, public awareness campaigns, and multi-sector cooperation. The initiative follows a clear directive issued by Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra in early 2025 to address the growing threat of e-cigarette use among Thai youth. (NNT)
