WHO supports Thailand's e-cigarette crackdown
Dr Olivia Nieveras, a senior public health specialist with WHO Thailand, said Thailand's policy to ban e-cigarettes was in line with empirical evidence about the harm of vaping products, as well as the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), which Thailand joined in 2003.
She urged all parties involved to follow Article 5.3 of the FCTC, which focuses on policies to protect society from the commercial and vested interests of the tobacco industry.
The WHO's theme for World No Tobacco Day on May 31 this year was 'Unmasking the Appeal: Exposing Industry Tactics on Tobacco and Nicotine Products'. The campaign focuses on 'revealing the tactics that the tobacco and nicotine industries use to make their harmful products seem attractive', according to the organisation.
Dr Nieveras made the comments at a briefing held by ThaiHealth and the Tobacco Control Research and Knowledge Management Centre (TRC) on Tuesday during the 23rd National Health and Cigarette Control Forum in Bangkok.
Dr Prakit Vathesatogkit, president of the Action on Smoking and Health Foundation, said the business and political influence of corporations that sell vapes has made it more challenging for countries to follow Article 5.3.
As a result, the WHO has instructed these countries to ban representatives of cigarette companies from joining the E-Cigarette Control Policy Board or any similar body.
Dr Prakit said that over the past 32 years, his foundation and anti-tobacco networks have helped to reduce smoking in Thailand by 49%. However, there are still 9.8 million smokers, with many young people still taking up the habit.
Dr Pongthep Wongwatcharapaiboon, a manager at ThaiHealth, said e-cigarette producers have adjusted their promotional campaigns, making e-cigarettes seem like a safer and more acceptable alternative to tobacco products, to appeal more to would-be new and younger smokers.
A survey conducted by ThaiHealth, the Office of the Basic Education Commission and the Equitable Education Fund (EEF), among 124,606 students in 1,699 elementary and secondary schools nationwide, found that 25% had tried e-cigarettes, 22% had friends who used vapes and 20% lived in a community where vaping is prevalent.
This shows that exposure to e-cigarettes often relates to a person's social environment, Dr Pongthep said, adding that ThaiHealth has come up with an e-cigarette 'denormalisation' initiative.
The campaign aims to provide factual information regarding e-cigarette usage, mainly targeting young people.
'The campaign aims to shift the mindset of 'cannot' smoke to 'don't want to' smoke,' said Dr Pongthep.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Bangkok Post
7 hours ago
- Bangkok Post
Mental health problems increasing in Thailand
Some 13.4 million Thais claim to have experienced mental health problems, with people aged 45–59, known as the pre-senior group, reporting the lowest happiness levels, according to the Thai Health Report 2025. The report, compiled by the Thai Health Promotion Foundation (ThaiHealth) and Mahidol University's Institute for Population and Social Research and released on Monday, comprises four sections, including mental health and major public health issues. On mental health, 10 key indicators are shown as reflecting mental health trends and risk factors. The pre-senior group reported the lowest levels of happiness, which reflects emotional vulnerability during transitions. People aged 15-29 are more at risk of stress, anxiety, depression, and suicidal tendencies due to academic pressure, fear of missing out, family violence and social expectations, it found. The report also identified 10 major health issues for 2025, including the social and health impacts of the proposed alcohol law amendments, dangers from e-cigarettes, confusion surrounding medical cannabis policy, and concerns over the possible legalisation of casinos. Its special feature explores the country's low birth rate, due to economic and social changes, and the incentives adopted in other countries, which are still failing to raise the birth rate.
Bangkok Post
2 days ago
- Bangkok Post
WHO supports Thailand's e-cigarette crackdown
The World Health Organization (WHO) has expressed support for Thailand's continued ban on the import and sale of e-cigarettes, while the Thai Health Promotion Foundation (ThaiHealth) has pledged a 'denormalisation effort' to reduce the prevalence of vaping among young people. Dr Olivia Nieveras, a senior public health specialist with WHO Thailand, said Thailand's policy to ban e-cigarettes was in line with empirical evidence about the harm of vaping products, as well as the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), which Thailand joined in 2003. She urged all parties involved to follow Article 5.3 of the FCTC, which focuses on policies to protect society from the commercial and vested interests of the tobacco industry. The WHO's theme for World No Tobacco Day on May 31 this year was 'Unmasking the Appeal: Exposing Industry Tactics on Tobacco and Nicotine Products'. The campaign focuses on 'revealing the tactics that the tobacco and nicotine industries use to make their harmful products seem attractive', according to the organisation. Dr Nieveras made the comments at a briefing held by ThaiHealth and the Tobacco Control Research and Knowledge Management Centre (TRC) on Tuesday during the 23rd National Health and Cigarette Control Forum in Bangkok. Dr Prakit Vathesatogkit, president of the Action on Smoking and Health Foundation, said the business and political influence of corporations that sell vapes has made it more challenging for countries to follow Article 5.3. As a result, the WHO has instructed these countries to ban representatives of cigarette companies from joining the E-Cigarette Control Policy Board or any similar body. Dr Prakit said that over the past 32 years, his foundation and anti-tobacco networks have helped to reduce smoking in Thailand by 49%. However, there are still 9.8 million smokers, with many young people still taking up the habit. Dr Pongthep Wongwatcharapaiboon, a manager at ThaiHealth, said e-cigarette producers have adjusted their promotional campaigns, making e-cigarettes seem like a safer and more acceptable alternative to tobacco products, to appeal more to would-be new and younger smokers. A survey conducted by ThaiHealth, the Office of the Basic Education Commission and the Equitable Education Fund (EEF), among 124,606 students in 1,699 elementary and secondary schools nationwide, found that 25% had tried e-cigarettes, 22% had friends who used vapes and 20% lived in a community where vaping is prevalent. This shows that exposure to e-cigarettes often relates to a person's social environment, Dr Pongthep said, adding that ThaiHealth has come up with an e-cigarette 'denormalisation' initiative. The campaign aims to provide factual information regarding e-cigarette usage, mainly targeting young people. 'The campaign aims to shift the mindset of 'cannot' smoke to 'don't want to' smoke,' said Dr Pongthep.
Bangkok Post
28-07-2025
- Bangkok Post
New WHO report highlights global loneliness epidemic
A new report from the World Health Organization (WHO) shows that loneliness affects one in six people. In the report titled "From Loneliness To Social Connection", social isolation refers to the state of interacting less with others. Meanwhile, loneliness is a negative emotion that results from a gap between desired and actual relationships. "In this age when possibilities to connect are endless, more and more people are finding themselves isolated and lonely," said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO director-general, in a news release. Between 2014-2023, around 16% of people worldwide -- one in six -- experienced loneliness. While loneliness impacts all ages and regions, young people are more vulnerable. Loneliness is more common in low and middle-income countries as 24% of people in these regions -- one in four -- report feeling lonely. Southeast Asia is ranked third (18%) after Africa (24%) and the Eastern Mediterranean (21%). Data on social isolation is limited. Between 1990-2022, up to a quarter of older people were estimated to interacting less with others. Marginalised groups, including LGBTI individuals and migrants, are more likely to experience loneliness and social isolation than others. Multiple causes increase the risk of loneliness and social isolation, including poor health, living alone and lack of public infrastructure, as well as digital technology. The report highlights the impact of loneliness and social isolation, with both associated with stroke, heart disease, diabetes, cognitive decline and early death. Lonely people are twice as likely to experience depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts. Globally, between 2014 and 2019, loneliness was responsible for around 871,000 deaths each year. The report outlines solutions to promote social connection. While campaigns and policies have potential to address the challenge, community strategies provide enormous opportunities for people to connect. For example, improving social infrastructure, such as libraries and parks, can be helpful. Public spaces can also be designed in a better way to bring people together.
