Thailand bans import of E-cigarettes and Hookah pipes

[Rockheart]

Thailand has now put a ban on the import of electronic cigarettes, as well as Hookah pipes and their accessories.

This seems especially odd since most bars in Thailand rent hookah pipes.
Most of the restaurants in areas frequented by Middle Easterners have the pipes built right into the table or floor.

http://www.ctvnews.ca/health/thailand-bans-import-of-water-pipes-electronic-cigarettes-1.2052738

[BAM]

It seems they also banned the use of shisha too.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politics/431010/baraku-operators-complain-their-livelihoods-are-up-in-smoke

A 46-year-old provider of shisha services at a pub on Pahon Yothin Road, who called himself "Boy", said he stopped selling shisha after hearing about the junta's order.

"I am now out of work. We may need to do something else," Mr Boy said. He had invested about 1,000 baht in the shisha equipment, and charged 250 baht per customer. He could earn more than 3,000 baht a night.

[rxpharm]

hookah and shisha refer to the same thing. Hookah is Persian and shisha is Arabic.

A while ago smoking was banned for many indoor establishments, and was enforced although erratically. This is probably an expansion on that previous ban.

[Rockheart]

It seems they also banned the use of shisha too.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politics/431010/baraku-operators-complain-their-livelihoods-are-up-in-smoke

A 46-year-old provider of shisha services at a pub on Pahon Yothin Road, who called himself "Boy", said he stopped selling shisha after hearing about the junta's order.

"I am now out of work. We may need to do something else," Mr Boy said. He had invested about 1,000 baht in the shisha equipment, and charged 250 baht per customer. He could earn more than 3,000 baht a night.

Yes Shisha tobacco is included in the import restrictions.
The Junta said that you could still smoke shisha from what i read, it just won't be imported (officially) anymore.
Perhaps this person is so worried about crossing the Junta, that they refrained due to fear.

[BAM]

I smoked some Shisha and it didn't do much for me...

This is interesting to read... The fact sheet estimates a single water pipe session involving tobacco-based shisha could be compared to smoking between 100 and 200 cigarettes €” a hard-to-believe but attention-grabbing statistic.

http://www.thestar.com/news/insight/2012/08/31/smoking_tobaccofree_shisha_gains_popularity_in_toronto_but_health_concerns_remain.html

[Rockheart]

I smoked some Shisha and it didn't do much for me...

This is interesting to read... The fact sheet estimates a single water pipe session involving tobacco-based shisha could be compared to smoking between 100 and 200 cigarettes €” a hard-to-believe but attention-grabbing statistic.

http://www.thestar.com/news/insight/...ns_remain.html

I wouldn't doubt it, those hookah pipes hurt my lungs.
When i drink i like the odd cigarette but I have never enjoyed the Shisha in any form.

I think it is just becoming popular in North America because of immigration but also just because it is cool.
Cigar smoking was cool for a while too....

If i am going to smoke something out of a pipe it ain't going to be fruit or tobacco.

[TEXASMAC]

I don't smoke cigars or cigarettes but I do enjoy the pictures on the cigarette packages in Thailand. Talk about graphic !!