The Parliament has decided to ban the smoking of cigarettes, vaping and alcoholic drinks on parliament grounds in a campaign to make parliament a permanent non-smoking area. The announcement coincides with National Public Health Day today.

House Speaker Wan Muhamad Noor Matha said he received a petition from the Federation of Thai Medical Students, calling for parliament to be free from cigarettes and electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes), in line with the Act Controlling Tobacco Products. The ban will set an example for Thai youth who are increasingly turning to vaping.

According to the federation and the Tobacco Control Research and Knowledge Management Centre (TRC), vaping among Thai youth, especially female students, has increased by 30.5% since the previous survey.

Wan Noor thanked the student body and the anti-smoking network for their concern over the health threat from cigarette smoking and vaping among Thai youth and urged them to carry on with their noble efforts.

As far as parliament is concerned, he said that previous attempts have been made to declare it a no smoking area, adding that today is a good opportunity for the launch of an anti-smoking and drinking campaign.

Assistant Professor Dr. Vijj Kasemsup, director of TRC, said that vaping is harmful to health because the substances used in the devices contain nicotine and lead, which can cause heart and lung problems, asthma and even cancer.

He urged the government to enforce the law on e-cigarettes and vaping strictly, noting that, even though e-cigarettes are banned, they are still readily available on the black market.

He said young people are attracted to vaping because of its aroma and product designs, as he warned that more young Thais will turn to vaping if the law is not strictly enforced.