The Action on Smoking and Health Foundation has called on the government to take decisive action against the rising use of e-cigarettes, particularly among young people.
The message was delivered by foundation president, Prof Dr Prakit Vathesatogkit, at an event hosted by the Office of the Royal Society on Monday to commemorate the life of Dr Atthasit Vejjajiva, the late neurologist renowned for his pivotal role in advancing Thailand’s tobacco control movement and the father of former prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, in Bangkok.
Prof Dr Prakit pointed to the alarming rise of e-cigarette use among Thai youths. Citing data from the National Statistical Office, he said the number of e-cigarette users surged more than 11-fold between 2021 and 2024, with more than 250,000 young people aged 15-24 identified as regular users.
He warned of the growing threat from new-generation e-cigarette products, such as “toy pods,” “nose pods,” and “nicotine pouches,” designed to resemble toys or inhalers to attract teenagers.
According to him, these products, heavily marketed on social media platforms, contain highly concentrated nicotine that can cause irregular heartbeats and sudden cardiac arrest while increasing depression risks among youths by two to three times. He emphasised that these devices often serve as a “gateway” to other addictive substances.
Prof Dr Prakit gave the memorial lecture aimed to honour Dr Atthasit’s lifelong contributions to public health and his leadership in the nation’s anti-smoking movement, which gained international recognition.
Dr Atthasit served as the dean of Mahidol University’s Faculty of Medicine at Ramathibodi Hospital, deputy public health minister, Mahidol University president, Royal Society president, and a senator.