The Thai government has intensified its efforts to combat the illegal sale of e-cigarettes by blocking more than 9,500 URLs associated with vape sales and smuggling over the past year, according to the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (DES).
The move is part of a nationwide crackdown aimed at shutting down all online sales channels, including social media accounts and websites used to distribute and promote vapes, said Deputy Government Spokeswoman Sasikarn Wattanachan.
Widespread Digital Shutdown on Vape-Related Content
Between March 2024 and March 19, 2025, the DES ministry successfully blocked a total of 9,515 URLs involved in vape-related activities, including:
- 9,200 X (formerly Twitter) accounts
- 235 websites
- 28 Facebook accounts
- 12 Instagram accounts
- 14 TikTok accounts
- 120 Facebook groups dedicated to vape sales
Additionally, the government’s social listening and data monitoring tools identified and removed 285 posts from sellers and 93 posts from buyers attempting to trade e-cigarettes online.
Strict Legal Consequences for Vape Sellers and Buyers
Authorities have reinforced the severe penalties under Thailand’s Consumer Protection Act, warning that:
- Selling e-cigarettes or vape-related equipment carries a three-year prison sentence and a maximum fine of 600,000 baht.
- Importing vapes can result in at least ten years in prison and a fine of five times the cost of the imported products.
- Buying or possessing vapes is punishable by at least five years in prison and a fine of four times the product’s value.
Encouraging Public Reporting to Strengthen Enforcement
To further clamp down on illegal vaping, the government is urging citizens to report any e-cigarette sales or smuggling activities by calling the DES hotline (1212) or law enforcement agencies.
With these strict measures, Thailand is making it clear that it will not tolerate the sale or use of e-cigarettes, reinforcing its position as one of the toughest anti-vaping nations in the world.
- News source: 9,500 online links to vape products blocked
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