Thailand’s Office of the Basic Education Commission (OBEC) is set to implement strict measures, including personal belongings checks, in an attempt to curb the use of vapes in schools after a “surge” in usage among students.
The Deputy Secretary-General of OBEC, Thee Pawangkanan, has expressed concerns over the increasing usage of e-cigarettes among Thai students aged 13-15. According to media reports, there have also been cases of vape usage among first-graders, as young as six and seven years old, making them the youngest smokers.
Obec is considering conducting bag searches to screen for illegal and inappropriate objects, including e-cigarettes, before students enter classrooms. Pawangkanan said the measures will be imposed at schools starting on May 15, the first day of the new term.