PUBLISHED: 5 Apr 2025 at 03: 30
The Office of the Basic Education Commission ( Obec) has instructed schools to conduct bag searches for e-cigarettes when the next semester begins in May, citing growing concerns over vaping among students.
Obec’s assistant secretary-general Tee Pawangkanant, said the order was introduced during the E-Cigarette Control Policy Committee meet chaired by Vice Minister of Education Phitsanu Phonlathee.
The estimate is part of the agency’s efforts to strengthen class regulations regarding e-cigarettes. Schools are required to search for e-cigarettes and, if required, collect and eliminate any found during checks.
In addition, Obec is launching a public awareness campaign to inform individuals on the dangers of smoking and the possible legal implications. Mr Tee said the initiative will help assist long-term protection measures in classrooms.
The laws are set to be implemented before the start of the semester in May, with universities working closely with government to strengthen protection.
Kids have also been urged to collaborate with universities in tackling the issue, as the legal ramifications of e-cigarette ownership can be significant.
Dr Prakit Vathesatogkit, leader of the Action on Smoking and Health Foundation, said smoking also places a economic hardship on people.
He cited a National Statistical Office 2021 study, which found that people aged 15 and older spend an average of 718 ringgit per month on vaping materials. This is a major expense, especially when compared to Thailand’s lowest regular income of 1, 043 ringgit, he added.
Health experts have also raised worries over the serious health risks associated with e-cigarette usage.
Dr Pimchanok Junsawat, a paediatric cardiologist at Thammasat University’s Faculty of Medicine, warned that secondhand smoke exposure poses greater threats to child and young kids.
” Young kids absorb toxins more quickly and breath at a faster rate than people, making them more vulnerable to the harmful substances in e-cigarette vapour”, she said.