Thailand bans e-cigarette imports

Thailand’s Cabinet on Tuesday approved a ban on the import of hookah-style water pipes and electronic cigarettes, copying a move by neighboring Cambodia earlier this year, according to a Yahoo News story.

Deputy government spokesman major general Sansern Kaewkamnerd said the ban, which had been proposed by the Commerce Ministry, was imposed for health reasons.

The Public Health Ministry had originally suggested the move, saying these products were luring young people into smoking.

Those caught violating the ban face a maximum jail term of 10 years or a fine of five times the product’s value, or both.

Cambodia in February banned the import, sale and promotion of electronic cigarettes and shisha tobacco.