The government has ordered a strict crackdown on the sale of tobacco products called “nicotine pouches” through online platforms, tourist destinations, and department stores, warning of dangers that can affect the brain in the long term.
On 23 March 2026, Ms. Airin Panrit, Deputy Spokesperson of the Office of the Prime Minister, revealed thatCurrently,there is widespread advertising and sale of nicotine pouches on social media, with products also available at tourist attractions and department stores, making them easily accessible, especially to children and youth. Nicotine pouches contain a high concentration of nicotine that rapidly enters the bloodstream, causing rapid heartbeat, palpitations, chest tightness, and increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease. They also lead to addiction and can impact brain development over the long term. The government has instructed relevant agencies to intensify inspections and strictly enforce laws against offenders.
Ms. Airin stated that advertising and selling nicotine pouches on social media constitutes a violation of the Tobacco Products Control Act of 2017, specifically sales through electronic media (Section 27(2)). Offenders face penalties of up to three months imprisonment, fines up to 30,000 baht, or both. Meanwhile, selling nicotine pouches at tourist sites and department stores violates Section 36, paragraph one, which prohibits displaying tobacco products at retail locations, punishable by a fine of up to 40,000 baht. Additionally, if product names and prices are displayed improperly, this violates Section 36, paragraph two, punishable by fines up to 5,000 baht.
The government requests public cooperation to report any advertisements or sales of nicotine pouches via electronic media or computer networks by contacting the Tobacco Control Office at 0 2590 3852. It reiterates that all retail operators must strictly comply with the law by not selling or displaying unauthorized tobacco products and must follow proper rules for product and price display to help protect public health and reduce youth access to tobacco products.