Photos courtesy of Bangkok Post
The Commerce Ministry plans to invoke a ministerial regulation to stop the import of e-cigarettes and Middle Eastern-style hookah pipes used to smoke tobacco, baraku or shisha.
Read the following story from the Bangkok Post to learn more about the proposed regulations.
Prime Minister and NCPO chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha recently called on state agencies to seek out measures to curb the use of hookah pipes, which have become popular among teenagers who use them at entertainment venues.
HARMFUL HOOKAHS
The ministry’s Department of Foreign Trade (DFT) wants to attach a ministerial regulation to the Export and Import of Goods Act to stop the entry of such smoking devices.
Citing research by the Public Health Ministry’s Department of Disease Control (DDC), DFT official Parnjit Pisawong said studies have found that smoking baraku, electric baraku and e-cigarettes can be harmful. Although liquids from fermented fruits are used to fill the baraku, the burning process could lead to illnesses similar to those inflicted by cigarettes, she said.
“Baraku, electric baraku and e-cigarettes are popular among the young,” Parnjit said. “They should be put in the same category as other smoking products when officials consider how to regulate them.”
Parnjit said the Office of the Consumer Protection Board is seeking legal ways to cope with the spread of these smoking devices.
OUT OF CONTROL
Talking about the health impact of e-cigarettes, DDC deputy director-general Nopporn Cheanklin said the vapour from chemicals, ignited by electricity, contains small particles of metal, which can cause cancer. Nopporn went on to say that there are e-cigarettes with and without nicotine, and that those without nicotine could present regulatory problems as they may not fit the definition of tobacco under the Public Health Ministry’s Non-smokers Health Protection Act and the Excise Department’s Tobacco Act.
“Because control is hard to accomplish, the import of e-cigarettes must be banned,” Nopporn said, adding that more than 20 countries have already banned the import and sale of e-cigarettes.
Exercises
Read the story. Then, decide whether the following statements are true or false.
1. According to the DDC, smoking baraku, electric baraku and e-cigarettes isn’t harmful to humans.
……………………..
2. Liquids used to fill the in the baraku are made from fermented fruits.
……………………..
3. DFT stands for the Department of Foreign Trade.
……………………..
4. According to the story, the Health Ministry plans to invoke a ministerial regulation to stop the import of Middle Eastern-style hookah pipes.
……………………..
Vocabulary
- invoke (v): to mention or use a law, rule, etc. as a reason for doing something
ferment (v): to experience a chemical change because of the action of yeast or bacteria
inflict (v): to make somebody suffer something unpleasant
vapour (n): a mass of very small drops of liquid in the air
