Police have arrested the leader of a major e-cigarette distribution network, following raids on two locations in Bangkok yesterday.
Consumer Protection Police Division (CPPD) launched the crackdown after receiving information about "Iqos Thailand FanClub", a Facebook group used by the network to market and sell e-cigarette modules and cartridges online.
Authorities raided a condominium in Bang Kho Laem district and a house on Nawamin Soi 42 in Bueng Kum district after learning both locations were being used as a e-cigarette storage and distribution centre, said CPPD commander, Maj Gen Withaya Sriprasertsap.
Officials seized over 70,000 e-cigarettes modules and cartridges, worth an estimated 10 million baht.
They also arrested Jenkij Hom-aroon, 32, whom they believe was the network's leader.
He was taken to CPPD Sub-Division 1's office, where he was charged with distributing e-cigarettes and cartridges, which are considered illegal in the kingdom.
Meanwhile, Dr Thossaporn Sereerak, Pheu Thai MP for Phrae, on Wednesday told parliament e-cigarettes are becoming more prevalent in the market, saying they are more accessible than ever to those under the age of 20.
"Even primary school students have been found to use e-cigarettes. I have received many complaints from parents who are concerned about how easy it is to purchase e-cigarettes online and why our officers aren't doing anything to deal with the matter," said Dr Thossaporn.
Dr Thossaporn urged the parliament to designate the parliament as an e-cigarette-free zone after seeing some ministers and MPs vaping. They should be role models for all people to abide by, he said.
Nicotine is addictive and poses a danger to the development of children's brains, he said.
On the contrary, Maris Karanyawat, a representative of the popular Facebook group End Cigarette Smoke Thailand, said e-cigarette bans in other countries have yielded similar results.
Countries like the United Kingdom and the United States choose to legalise e-cigarettes, which allow them to better control the distribution of e-cigarettes and collect taxes.
Such measures are a better way to prevent minors from accessing e-cigarettes, he said.