The cabinet has approved a draft announcement by the Ministry of Commerce banning the import of baraku, electric baraku and electronic cigarettes into Thailand, defining them as prohibited items.
A baraku is a waterpipe instrument for vapourising and smoking flavoured tobacco called shisha.
The Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health, had asked the Department of Foreign Trade to seek measures to curb the import of the items after they appeared for sale on the internet and at flea markets.
The vapour created by these devices has been found to contain organic compounds and metals harmful to human health.
However, there is no punishment for people who current have the baraku or e-cigarette.
Unidentified tourists smoke water-pipe (Baraku) at a restaurant in Soi Nana area. Customers can enjoy themselves with 150 baht a smoking session. (Bangkok Post file photo)