Recent comments from Thai Health Ministry officials may lead to more confusion as nicotine pouches are still sold in shops and duty-free outlets in the country. Photo credit: L.V. Olavi Rantala, CC2.0.
Thailand’s Public Health Ministry has reiterated that nicotine pouches fall under the legal definition of tobacco products and must follow all restrictions governing their sale and promotion, reports Thai PBS World.
Deputy director general Dr. Suthat Chottanapund said the Disease Control Department has received multiple complaints related to the sale and marketing of nicotine pouches. He warned that these activities may breach several laws, particularly the Tobacco Products Control Act B.E. 2560 (2017).
Chottanapund emphasized that retailers must treat nicotine pouches the same way as other tobacco products and any form of product display, prominent placement, or communication that constitutes sales promotion would be a violation of the law. He added that vendors may not display or promote the products at points of sale.
The law also prohibits companies from offering nicotine pouches as free samples or exchanging them for other goods, Chottanapund noted.
Dr. Chayanan Sittibusaya, acting senior medical expert and director of the Office of the Tobacco Products Control Committee, reinforced the warning, saying businesses must keep nicotine pouches out of public view, following the same storage rules that apply to cigarettes and roll-your-own tobacco.
He stressed that compliance with tax requirements does not override other legal obligations. Even when products have cleared taxation, any sales or promotional practices that fail to meet the Act’s requirements remain illegal and may lead to prosecution.
The ministry’s remarks may add to uncertainty among retailers and consumers, as nicotine pouches continue to be available in shops and even in duty-free outlets, raising questions about how existing rules apply in practice.