The Prime Minister has ordered that e-cigarettes must be eliminated. He personally raided an illegal warehouse and found evidence worth 130 million baht.

The Prime Minister gave a decisive order that “e-cigarettes” must be eliminated, personally raided an illegal warehouse, found evidence worth 130 million baht, stressed that importers, sellers, and government agencies that neglected their duties must be prosecuted.

On March 18, 2025, at 11:40 AM, at a warehouse in Bang Bua Thong District, Nonthaburi Province, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra followed up on the progress of the crackdown on illegal e-cigarettes. This followed an operation, “Operation Smoke Out,” launched by the Metropolitan Police Investigation Bureau (IDMB) in collaboration with the Nonthaburi Provincial Administration . The operation targeted 10 locations in Nonthaburi Province, resulting in the seizure of over 260,000 items including e-cigarettes, e-liquids, and related equipment, with a total value exceeding 130,000,000 baht.

With Ms. Jiraporn Sindhuphrai, Minister to the Prime Minister's Office, Mr. Prommin Lertsuriyadej, Secretary-General to the Prime Minister, and relevant agencies participating.

Mr. Jirayu Huangsap, spokesperson for the Prime Minister's Office, revealed that the Prime Minister praised and thanked all officials for their diligent work. He also emphasized the need for decisive legal action against importers, sellers, and government agencies that neglected their duties according to the law. Furthermore, he instructed that investigations be expanded to include related networks in order to dismantle the illegal e-cigarette trafficking operation completely.

In addition, the Prime Minister has ordered the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation to provide correct knowledge to students to be aware of the negative effects of using e-cigarettes, including urging administrators, teachers and educational personnel to be aware that e-cigarettes are illegal. If any educational personnel are found to be using e-cigarettes, they will be subject to legal and disciplinary action because these individuals must be good examples for children and youth.

“The government prioritizes the health impacts on the Thai people and youth and is committed to rigorously enforcing the law to protect public health and create a society safe from e-cigarettes. This mission will not end,” the Prime Minister emphasized.

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