Last updated: September 30, 2025

Regulated Contents and Emissions in Cigarettes

Does the law regulate cigarette contents and/or ingredients?

No
Regulatory Authority

Ministry of Public Health

Analysis

The Tobacco Products Control Act requires that tobacco products for sale in Thailand comply with ingredients and emissions standards contained in regulations promulgated by the Ministry of Public Health.

Beginning May 24, 2029, the regulations will prohibit the sale of cigarettes that contain certain additives, including flavor enhancers.

Does the law establish maximum emissions limits for cigarettes?

No
Regulatory Authority

Ministry of Public Health

Analysis

The Tobacco Products Control Act requires that tobacco products for sale in Thailand comply with ingredients and emissions standards contained in regulations promulgated by the Ministry of Public Health.

Beginning May 24, 2029, the regulations will prohibit the sale of cigarettes with emissions levels greater than: 1) 10 mg of tar per cigarette, 2) 1 mg of nicotine per cigarette, or 3) 10 mg of carbon monoxide per cigarette.

Status of Regulated Ingredients in Cigarettes

Sugars and sweeteners (other than those added to replace sugars lost during the curing process)

Examples of sugars and sweeteners include: glucose, molasses, honey and sorbitol.

Allowed
Analysis

Beginning May 24, 2029, the regulations will prohibit “flavor enhancers,” “flavors,” and other substances that produce flavor or smell that entices or encourages tobacco use or facilitates consumption of tobacco products. While sugars and sweeteners are not specifically mentioned, this is interpreted as prohibiting the use of sugars and sweeteners in cigarettes when used to produce a flavor or improve taste.

Once in effect, the law will align with FCTC Art. 9 and the FCTC Arts. 9 & 10 Partial Guidelines in that it will regulate ingredients used to increase palatability such as sugars and sweeteners in cigarettes.

Menthol, mint or spearmint (including analogues and derivatives)

Allowed
Analysis

Beginning May 24, 2029, the regulations will prohibit cigarettes containing mint but not menthol.

Once in effect, the law will align with FCTC Art. 9 and the FCTC Arts. 9 & 10 Partial Guidelines in that it will regulate ingredients used to increase palatability such as mint in cigarettes. 

Spices and herbs (excluding mint)

Examples include: cinnamon and ginger.

Allowed
Analysis

Beginning May 24, 2029, the regulations will prohibit cigarettes that contain spices or herbs.

Once in effect, the law will align with FCTC Art. 9 and the FCTC Arts. 9 & 10 Partial Guidelines in that it will regulate ingredients used to increase palatability such as spices and herbs (excluding mint) in cigarettes.

Other flavorings (not covered above)

Includes fruit flavorings. Examples of flavoring substances include benzaldehyde, maltol and vanillin.

Allowed
Analysis

Beginning May 24, 2029, the regulations prohibit cigarettes containing additives such as flavor enhancers; flavors; vegetables; fruits; ginger; cinnamon; benzaldehyde; maltol; vanillin; cloves; or any other substance that produces the flavor or smell of cloves or any other substance that produces flavor or smell that entices or encourages tobacco use or facilitates consumption of tobacco products. This is interpreted to include other flavorings (not covered above).

Once in effect, the law will align with FCTC Art. 9 and the FCTC Arts. 9 & 10 Partial Guidelines in that it will regulate ingredients used to increase palatability such as other flavorings (not covered above) in cigarettes.

Ingredients that facilitate nicotine uptake

Examples include: ammonia.

Allowed
Analysis

The regulations list additives that will be prohibited in tobacco products beginning May 24, 2029. However, this does not list ingredients that facilitate nicotine uptake; therefore, the law is interpreted as allowing these types of additives.

To further FCTC Arts. 5.2 and 9, the law should regulate ingredients that facilitate nicotine uptake, such as ammonia.

Ingredients which may create an impression of health benefits

Examples include: vitamins, such as vitamin C and vitamin E, fruit and vegetables (and products resulting from their processing such as fruit juices), amino acids, such as cysteine and tryptophan, and essential fatty acids such as omega-3 and omega-6.

Allowed
Analysis

Beginning May 24, 2029, the regulations will prohibit cigarettes containing vitamins or other additives that create the impression that a tobacco product has a health benefit or presents reduced health risks.

Once in effect, the law will align with FCTC Art. 9 and the FCTC Arts. 9 & 10 Partial Guidelines in that the law will prohibit the use of ingredients in cigarettes that may create an impression of health benefits.

Ingredients associated with energy and vitality

Examples include: caffeine, guarana, taurine and glucuronolactone.

Allowed
Analysis

Beginning May 24, 2029, the regulations will prohibit cigarettes containing energy boosters, caffeine, guarana, taurine, or other substances that are associated with energy and vitality.

Once in effect, the law will align with FCTC Art. 9 and the FCTC Arts. 9 & 10 Partial Guidelines in that the law will prohibit the use of ingredients in cigarettes that are associated with energy and vitality.

Additives that have coloring properties for emissions

Allowed
Analysis

Beginning May 24, 2029, the regulations will prohibit “substances that produce color in tobacco products or in the smoke or vapor resulting from consumption."

Marijuana, hemp, cannabidiol extract, or tetrahydrocannabinol extract

Allowed
Analysis

Beginning May 24, 2029, the regulations will prohibit cigarettes containing marijuana, hemp, cannabidiol extract, or tetrahydrocannabinol extract.