According to a Bangkokpost report on April 10, police in Bangkok, Thailand, seized more than 12,000 e-cigarettes worth approximately 3.6 million baht (US$98,000) from five stores near schools.
Consumer Council officials discovered the products after inspecting three stores in Chatuchak district on Tuesday (April 9) night, Phangphet Chunla-iad, head of the council, said, The packaging of these e-cigarette products sold near schools is designed to look like snacks, ordinary pens, or even small milk cartons to increase their appeal to teenagers, making it impossible for teachers to notice that these e-cigarettes are being sold nearby.
Thasonat Thanitthiphan, secretary-general of the committee, said the authorities are strictly enforcing consumer protection laws and related regulations and cracking down on e-cigarette sellers. Under the consumer protection law, violators can be jailed for up to three years or fined 600,000 baht ($16,488). Those caught smuggling e-cigarettes can be jailed for up to 10 years or fined four times the value of the goods.
The secretary-general added that the seized e-cigarettes will be handed over to the police and destroyed after the court case is concluded.