Pattaya Officials Focus on E-Cigarette Laws and Youth Protection at National Health Conference
NONTHABURI, Thailand
On August 7th, 2026, Mr. Poramese Ngamphichet, Mayor of Pattaya City, assigned Mr. Kiatisak Sriwongchai, Permanent Secretary of Pattaya City, to represent the municipality at the 24th National Health Academic Conference (CDoH).
The conference, held under the theme “Sweet, Salty, Drunk, Smoke: Traps of Chronic Health-Damaging Products,” took place in the meeting room on the 6th floor of the Grand Richmond Hotel in Nonthaburi Province. Mr. Sriwongchai delivered a special lecture titled “Laws Related to Electronic Cigarettes in Thailand.” His presentation covered law enforcement, the handling of seized items, and the management and care of children and youth who use e-cigarettes, with particular focus on students in educational institutions under local administrative organizations.
Organized by the Center for Research and Knowledge Management for Tobacco Control (TRC) at the Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, together with the Thai Health Promotion Foundation (ThaiHealth) and network partners, the event was to exchange knowledge and advance policy proposals to control health risk factors affecting the public.
Key policy recommendations from the meeting included maintaining the ban on e-cigarette imports and enforcing related laws continuously and strictly. Participants called for integrated cooperation with the Royal Thai Police and the E-Cigarette Suppression Center to crack down on illegal sales, especially through online channels, which account for 70–80% of purchases by children and youth.
Another proposal sought to restructure cigarette taxes into a single-tier system starting at 30% to close the gap for cheap cigarettes, improve tax collection efficiency, and reduce health impacts on the population.
During the conference, Mr. Sriwongchai outlined Pattaya City’s operational approaches to keep children and youth away from e-cigarettes. These efforts fall under a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on measures to protect young people from e-cigarettes, which integrates cooperation among 21 local network agencies. The approach relies on multi-sector participation for surveillance, prevention, and building resilience among children and youth.
Pattaya City remains committed to continuously advancing e-cigarette prevention measures through teamwork across all sectors. The goal is to create a safer environment, reduce health risk factors, and promote the sustainable well-being and quality of life of children and youth.
News: Ms. Natcha Traiphiphat
Photos: Addiction Treatment Division, Disease Control Section, Public Health and Environment Bureau, Pattaya City
Public Relations Division, Administrative Section, Tourism and Sports Bureau
