Thai authorities have made a big bust in the country's ongoing crackdown on illegal vaping.
Police intercepted two trucks loaded with e-cigarettes and other vaping products during a sting operation in Samut Sakhon Province.
According to 2FIRSTS, authorities seized 48,301 e-cigarettes and related products. The operation in central Thailand stopped a shipment worth approximately $630,000.
Provincial Police Region 1 Commander Wattana Yijin confirmed during an October 14 press briefing that the goods were linked to a smuggling ring moving vaping supplies from Thailand's southern provinces to central regions.
Two suspects were arrested, and the case has been transferred to provincial authorities for prosecution.
Thailand is one of the few countries that has banned vapes entirely, with the law first put in place in 2014. The government observed that e-cigarettes are bad for public health, especially for young people who are lured into picking up the habit.
While many adults turn to e-cigarettes to stop smoking cigarettes, there has been a surge in youth vaping, leading to nicotine addiction, respiratory risks, and the increased risk of other health issues like high blood pressure and various cancers.
Beyond the health and legal implications, the crackdown addresses environmental challenges tied to vaping.
Studies, including one published in the journal Tobacco Prevention & Cessation, show that e-cigarette waste -- particularly from disposable vapes -- is becoming a global issue.
These single-use devices combine plastic, toxic e-liquid residues, and lithium batteries, creating hazardous waste that's difficult to recycle and often ends up in landfills or waterways.
Improper disposal can leach heavy metals and chemicals into soil and groundwater -- and it's also dangerous, as the batteries have been known to start fires.
Vape litter is an eyesore -- no one wants to see vaping garbage in natural spaces, in public areas like parks, or on the roads, where it can pop tires.
The rise of disposable vape use is contributing to plastic pollution and e-waste buildup worldwide, which ultimately affects our oceans, our food chain, and our bodies.
For people looking for ways to quit smoking and vaping altogether, there are alternatives worth a try.
For nicotine withdrawal, experts suggest using nicotine patches and gums to taper off the substance.
There are also medications that can help with urges, and some natural alternatives like chewing crunchy snacks, gum, or sucking on hard candy can help with the oral fixation.
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