BANGKOK: Toy pods, a new type of e-cigarettes in the shape of cartoon characters, can pose health risks to children, said the manager of the Product Watch project on Thursday (Feb 27).
Assistant Professor Srirat Lapyai pointed out that Prathom (primary school) children have access to these e-cigarettes, which entered the Thailand market for the first time in mid-2024.
This led parents to ask media outlets to write about the matter, she said.
She noted that these disposable e-cigarettes are produced in the shape of popular cartoon characters, toys, candy boxes, juice or milk boxes, collectable figures, key chains and stationery.
They also come in various colours and flavours such as strawberry, mango, peach and blueberry.
“Making cartoon-shaped e-cigarettes is a strategy called harm reduction, aiming to reduce the harm of cigarettes with a cute appearance,” she said.
Prof Srirat emphasised that nicotine from toy pods can affect children’s health similar to general e-cigarettes, though smoking them causes less irritation to the throat.
Toy pods are being sold at 99 baht (US$2.92) each, making them accessible to children, she said, adding that these items are currently available for sale near schools and on online channels.
New types of e-cigarettes pose risks to children, including nicotine that affects child development, said Prof Srirat.
Addiction that develops during childhood can also make them smokers in the future, she added. - The Nation/ANN
