The government is still against vaping, saying e-cigarettes are affecting the health of vapers.

Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul stressed the need to continue banning e-cigarette imports to protect youths from vaping health risks.

A survey conducted by the National Statistical Office of Thailand last year found more than half of the about 80,000 e-cigarette smokers in Thailand were people aged 15 to 24.

"This clearly showed vaping has created new smokers, especially young people, while a growing number of international studies found smoking e-cigarettes has negative effects on young people's brains," said Mr Anutin.

He said Thailand has found there currently is no other option more effective in controlling vaping than banning the import of e-cigarettes.

Crackdowns on e-cigarettes smuggled into the country will also continue to limit access to the products on the black market, he said.

Asst Prof Dr Vijj Kasemsap of the Tobacco Control Research and Knowledge Management Centre, said vaping is associated with various diseases, namely respiratory, heart and blood vessel, oral and dental, brain, liver and skin diseases.