Thailand to ban e-cigs

[leaford]

Nothing's been banned yet, as far as I know, it's still just being studied. Not that there's any doubt what the result will be.

But, no, it'll probably just be banned for sale or import, not for use.

But if tourists want it, cheap chinese models will be in Pratunam, Chatuchak, and Klong Toey markets anyway, no doubt.

[JimmyJSpliff]

I've been using my e-cig daily for about a month now and i've also quit smoking regular cigs completely. For the past week or so i've had some serious chest pains and numbness. My 901 is really good at its job, i get all the nicotine i can handle and i feel like i'm getting way to much. All of the online vendors for our precious e-cigs have about the same story about having our cake and eating it too. But this is not a "Harmless Vapor" vapor we're dealing with here. Until there are some thorough studies on the effects of these things, i'm putting mine down.

[JimmyJSpliff]

E-cigarettes banned in WHO-ville

by Stephanie Patterson, posted Sep 20th 2008 at 4:04PM

As it turns out, the World Health Organization (WHO) isn't condoning e-cigarette products -- shockingly -- as some manufacturers might like you to believe. In fact, the lawsuit flag is being waved at a few companies who brazenly plastered the organization's name and logo across promotional material, suggesting an endorsement of the product. The WHO's Douglas Bettcher asserts that the product is untested as a nicotine replacement therapy, stating, "If the marketers of the electronic cigarette want to help smokers quit, then they need to conduct clinical studies and toxicity analyses." So while e-cigs might not carry the same carcinogenic risks as traditional smoking, there are still plenty of health issues surrounding liquid nicotine and all the nasty additives it's served in... and the WHO isn't about to let you forget it.
[Via PhysOrg]

maybe I will just use mine to vaporize other things

[dc2k08]

the chest pains could be your lungs clearing though as they'll do that.

[eagle747]

re i've had some serious chest pains and numbness.- too much nicotine has that efect - it is muscle spasm. Though you should not dismiss it if you have been a regular analogue smoker as it could be something more serious!

[oarias]

geee if ppl in thailand order from online store

and okie been consifcated at custom the buyer will be fine?
next if pass throught and he happen to use in public places will he been fine?

I'm hoping with the recent ouster of the ruling party and prime minister that this idea will have been scrapped.

As far as passing through customs, I'll find out in May when I go there.
(Although I have never been searched in Thailand on entry/exit.)

I suspect even if this thing passes, the average customs guy in the airport isn't going to have a clue what it is, nor even care. My whole "Kit" that I'm taking over will fit into a standard cigarette case.

I am guessing that they care more about mass importation and sales on the open market there than they do about something a tourist is bringing for his own personal use.

Although Thailand can be weird about smoking. I've seen a few movies on TV in Thailand that have been given a "digital mossaic censorship" effect on characters in the movie that are smoking.... like the crap they do in Japanese hardcore porn movies.

[jigtg]

I had two vegas cigars and 60ml of juice with me in Bangkok and Hong Kong airports. Being a good citizen I put them in liquid bad. On hong kong airport the guy fiddled the cigar trying to figure out what it was but did not say anything.
Leaving Bangkok the guy took the cigar and almost pulled out the cart until changing his mind and let it be. They asked what the bottles were and I just pointed at my mouth and said it is medicine. No problems.
Best is to play stupid tourist and tell them you got them at your home country and thought they would be legal.

In Bangkok I puffed in public with little to no response. It does look pretty much like a real cigar so that could be part of the reason. Also thai are pretty shy so they probably wouldn't say anything. Great way to amuse and confuse people especially if you get in a bit of trouble with scammers and others alike.

[Kate51]

TB, wasn't it you that posted that chart, or maybe came from the Ruyan testing N.Z., we get a low but steady line of nicotine if I remember.
But Thailand may be right, maybe this is just a fad for young people? OK.
Geez I'm starting to get touchy about those phrases!

[steves9090]

where illicit sex with minors is okay for a price of course
where sex slavery is okay
where caning for throwing a cigarette butt is okay
where you get the death sentence for drug trafficking
i think banning ecigs will really clean that place up

[mrask]

I leave for the land of smiles in September for an extended stay. I'll take the prodigy and the ps passthrough along, and keep my fingers crossed. I may make my visa run to China at some point. AirAsia has rt flights from Bangkok to Shenzen for around a hundred dollars. I'll stock up while there.