Bangkok: The Thai government is intensifying its crackdown on e-cigarettes and illegal cigarettes, aiming to prevent their entry into the country. Mr. Jirayu Huangsap, spokesman of the Prime Minister’s Office and advisor to the Prime Minister, disclosed that the Thai Tobacco Trade Association, in collaboration with the network of tobacco farmers of Thailand and the State Enterprise Tobacco Workers Union, has submitted a list of suspects involved in online e-cigarette trading to the government.

According to Thai News Agency, representatives from these associations met to discuss ways to enhance the suppression of illegal cigarette sales and expressed gratitude to the government for its stringent enforcement against e-cigarettes. This initiative has led to a continuous decline in e-cigarette sales in both physical stores and online platforms.

Mr. Jirayu highlighted concerns over the increasing trend of illegal cigarette smuggling into Thailand. He urged the government to implement urgent measures to inspect and intercept these illegal activities, aiming for tangible results similar to the successful control of e-cigarette sales. The goal is to ensure fairness for tobacco farmers and entrepreneurs operating within legal boundaries.

The government has emphasized the importance of continuous suppression efforts and has urged the association and its network partners to provide comprehensive data to support proactive governmental measures. The data submitted by the Thai Tobacco Trade Association and its network partners include information on the sale of e-cigarettes and illegal cigarettes through online platforms. Reports indicate that illegal cigarettes have been smuggled in from major distributors located in Satun, Songkhla, Phatthalung, Phuket, and Nakhon Si Thammarat.