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Many people asked ASH Thailand about information on the Electronic Baraku as it is very popular among adolescent s in tourist places, bars, pubs, and also in schools. Moreover, the Electronic Baraku is openly sold through the internet and comes in various fruit flavors such as apple, cherry, strawberry, and orange. On commercial websites, the Electronic Baraku is often described as having no nicotine, only fruit smells, and producing no harm to the body.

Prof. Dr. Prakit said that the Electronic Baraku is a new tobacco product produced to persuade adolescents to pay money to buy it. The device used to smoke the Electronic Baraku is similar to the one used for the Electronic cigarette having a rod containing a battery inside. It contains synthetic fiber impregnated with strong fruity oils that become vapor when smokers smoke and blew it out. The Electronic Baraku is used as a disposable cigarette; after smokers finish an Electronic Baraku, it can be thrown away. Called an Electronic Baraku by sellers, it is likely just a new marketing method since the traditional Baraku has fermented shredded tobacco with various fruit residues with resulting fruity smells when smoked. However, smells of the Electronic Baraku come from synthetic fibers impregnated with various fruit flavorings. The Electronic Baraku could be called a flavored electronic cigarette. In terms of sellers, they say that the Electronic Baraku does not contain nicotine which might be either true or false. Although the Electronic Baraku might not contain nicotine, it has not yet been tested for harms to the lung from inhaling various chemicals producing its fruity smells. However, after tearing open the Electronic Baraku rod, it contains a liquid that looks like oil with a strong smell. In terms of medical knowledge, pulmonary specialists confirm that flavoring chemicals are definitely harmful to the lung and body. In terms of the claim that the Electronic Baraku does not contain nicotine, if it really does not contain nicotine, the Electronic Baraku will not be like an addictive drug and smokers will likely give it up soon. According to the law, selling of the Electronic Baraku having a rod like a cigarette is against the law according to Article 10 of the Tobacco Product Control Act, B.E. 2535 (1992). Because the Electronic Baraku is an imitation tobacco product, sellers can be fined not exceeding 20,000 baht.

I would like to warn adolescents not to be victims of the Electronic Baraku sellers because it is a waste of money, is unhealthy, and you are being duped by sellers. If you do not believe this, please tear open the Electronic Baraku and smell it, and you will never ever smoke it againsaid Prof. Dr. Prakit.

Request more information, please contact:
Prof. Dr. Prakit Vathesatogkit, Action on Smoking and Health Foundation (ASH Thailand)
Tel. +66-2278-1828 / 08-1822-9799