Thai Government Intensifies Crackdown on Nicotine Pouches Amid Widespread Illegal Sales on Social Media, Tourist Spots, and Malls
The Phuket Express -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Bangkok — The Thai government has ordered a strict enforcement drive against the sale and advertising of nicotine pouches, a tobacco-derived product that has proliferated on social…
Thai authorities have ramped up enforcement against illegal nicotine pouches following an order on March 23rd, 2026, by Airin Panrit, Deputy Spokesperson for the Office of the Prime Minister. This national campaign targets online sellers, Phuket’s tourist zones, and shopping malls, after officials noted a surge in unregulated sales and concerns over youth exposure.
Enforcement Targets Social Media and Tourist Hotspots
New directives require government agencies to intensify inspections of digital platforms and high-traffic physical sites. Section 27(2) of the Tobacco Products Control Act B.E. 2560 (2017) prohibits electronic sales and advertising of tobacco products, including nicotine pouches. Violators operating online face up to three months’ imprisonment, fines of up to 30,000 baht (about US$920), or both. Inspections are also focused on retail outlets in popular shopping centers and tourism districts, where displays of tobacco products remain illegal.
Legal Guidelines for Sales, Display, and Penalties
Thai law permits the sale of nicotine pouches only through licensed, brick-and-mortar retailers that comply with strict display regulations. Section 36 explicitly forbids any open presentation of these items at the point of sale. Retailers exposed for displaying products on shelves or counters in Phuket’s malls risk penalties reaching 40,000 baht (approx. US$1,230). Additional fines, up to 5,000 baht each, may be imposed for failure to display solely the names and prices of the products—never the products themselves. The “out-of-sight” rule means items must remain hidden and can only be provided after direct customer requests, mirroring rules established for cigarettes and roll-your-own tobacco products.
The Department of Disease Control continues surveillance to ensure compliance, focusing on both online activity and physical stores across Thailand's key tourism and commercial districts. Authorities plan coordinated raids and routine checks in the coming weeks, with updates from both national law enforcement and local officials expected.
Source: https://thephuketexpress.com/2026/03/25/thai-government-intensifies-crackdown-on-nicotine-pouches-amid-widespread-illegal-sales-on-social-media-tourist-spots-and-malls/
