Bangkok: Santi, Minister of the Prime Minister’s Office, has directed the Thai Health Promotion Foundation, the Consumer Protection Board (CPB), and the Office of Knowledge Management and Development (OKMD) to collaborate on formulating guidelines to bolster immunity among Thai youth, keeping them away from e-cigarettes and reinforcing their defenses against health threats. He is also working to systematically enhance cooperation across all sectors, with plans to visit schools in Bangkok.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Santi Piyatat, Minister to the Prime Minister’s Office, assigned Mrs. Pornphat Rodphothong Boonthanom, Secretary to the Minister to the Prime Minister’s Office, to chair a meeting aimed at promoting immunity and protecting youth from e-cigarettes. The meeting, co-organized by the Thai Health Promotion Foundation (ThaiHealth), the Office of the Consumer Protection Board (OCPB), and the Office of Knowledge Management and Development (Public Organization) (OKMD), focused on proactive measures to prevent e-cigarette use among youth, a silent threat to the country’s future. The government is calling for urgent, integrated solutions from all sectors.
The meeting resolved to adopt proactive measures to systematically curb the spread of e-cigarettes among youth and raise awareness of the dangers of e-cigarettes in educational institutions. Primary school students are the key target group, as instilling positive thinking and behaviors at this age lays a foundation for quality future growth. Older students, such as those in high school and university, who may have already encountered e-cigarettes, need accurate information to make informed decisions. The approach is guided by four main areas:
1. Develop accurate academic information. The Thai Health Promotion Foundation (ThaiHealth) will expedite updates of health information in Thai and English to ensure clarity and facilitate communication and sharing of accurate information online. This effort aims to foster correct understanding rather than distorted information through the Tobacco Control Research and Knowledge Management Center (TCCM). Meanwhile, the Office of the Consumer Protection Board (OCPB) will develop legal knowledge packages to raise awareness among youth and educational institutions.
2. Design appropriate activities. OKMD will help determine the age group and design activities consistent with each target group, emphasizing proactive activities and Playful Learning, such as creating stories, board games, and video clip contests to encourage youth to independently seek information.
3. Use the power of influencers and youth networks. The Thai Health Promotion Foundation will support collaboration with new influencers (Gen Z, Gen Strong) to expand knowledge sets through channels accessible to teenagers.
4. Expedite field visits. The Office of the Consumer Protection Board (OCPB) is collaborating with both agencies to conduct field visits to educational institutions. The pilot project, expected to begin in November, will be conducted in Bangkok and aims to develop teachers or instructors who will serve as leaders in providing knowledge about penalties and laws related to e-cigarettes within educational institutions before expanding to other regions.
The government is committed to creating a safe environment for Thai youth, free from e-cigarettes. This initiative, driven by a comprehensive, integrated approach from all sectors, includes campaigns for prevention, suppression, and law enforcement against offenders, aiming for a truly e-cigarette-free Thai society. The government seeks cooperation from educational institutions under the Office of the Basic Education Commission, the Office of the Private Education Commission, and the Office of the Vocational Education Commission nationwide to urgently suppress all forms of e-cigarettes. Reports of any sales are encouraged to be made to the Office of the Consumer Protection Board (OCPB) hotline at 1166 or through the OCPB’s online complaint platform. The government pledges decisive legal action to ensure a safe and sustainable Thai society.