Policy on e-cigarettes needs clarification
Play
Re: "Ministry aims to control sale of sticks", National, July 5
The Disease Control Department (DCD) has asked the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to list liquid nicotine (a key addictive substance in electronic cigarettes) as a controlled product under the Psychotropic Substances Act, which requires importers to first register it with the FDA before selling in the market.
If a vendor wants to sell e-cigarettes as products to replace normal cigarettes, there can be no nicotine content. If they are permitted by the FDA, they must be sold as drugs that can help smokers to quit, and be strictly controlled as medicinal products under physicians’ supervision, as nicotine patches and nicotine gum are.
I am confused whether the Public Health Ministry aims to control e-cigarettes through banning imports and sales, or allowing imports and then gradually controlling them. If it is the latter, what is the ministry’s purpose and how will it be useful for the public?
Sutipunt Bongsununt
Kanchanaburi
