Bangkok One News
Home » Stricter Measures Anticipated to Shield Children from Vape Products
Bangkok News Breaking News

Stricter Measures Anticipated to Shield Children from Vape Products

Stricter Measures Anticipated to Shield Children from Vape Products

Authorities are gearing up for swift action to combat the illicit use of electronic cigarettes, emphasizing the necessity to curb their prevalence among minors as manufacturers increasingly target young individuals, endangering their well-being.

Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, a non-smoker, expressed a sense of urgency, citing the escalating issue of e-cigarettes proliferating among the youth and the concerning spike in underage addiction rates. He highlighted the health risks associated with e-cigarettes, stressing that much like traditional tobacco products, they contain harmful substances linked to serious conditions such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and respiratory ailments.

Acknowledging the mounting complaints from parents, Minister Anutin disclosed his directive to governmental agencies to take legal measures against sellers involved in the circulation of these products. Simultaneously, Ramathibodi Hospital issued a stern statement denouncing all forms of smoking and urged stricter enforcement of regulations prohibiting the import and sale of e-cigarettes. The hospital’s recent four-year study indicated that adolescents who frequently use e-cigarettes face an elevated susceptibility to respiratory disorders, including a 1.8 times higher risk of asthma, 2.1 times for bronchitis, and 1.8 times for general breathing difficulties.

Additionally, the Dental Association and the Thai Health Promotion Foundation (ThaiHealth) initiated a public awareness campaign cautioning young vapers about the adverse consequences of e-cigarette consumption. Dr. Pongthep Wongwatcharapaiboon elaborated on the deceptive allure of e-cigarettes, elucidating how nicotine manipulates the brain’s reward system by inducing a temporary sense of pleasure, which can ultimately lead to addiction and mental health challenges.

Despite the misconception that e-cigarettes aid in smoking cessation, Dr. Pongthep emphasized the higher nicotine content in e-cigarettes compared to their conventional counterparts, emphasizing the heightened danger associated with their widespread availability. Dr. Adirek Sriwatthanawongsathit further highlighted the oral health risks posed by e-cigarettes, such as an increased likelihood of gum disease culminating in tooth loss.

Addressing the role of parents, health officials underscored parental responsibility in monitoring and discouraging e-cigarette use among adolescents, cautioning against inadvertently enabling harmful habits. Jadet Thammathataree, the secretary-general of the National Health Security Office (NHSO), highlighted the availability of a consultation service aimed at supporting individuals in overcoming nicotine addiction, achieving significantly higher success rates in smoking cessation compared to unassisted attempts.

Moreover, survey data compiled by the Ministry of Public Health, the Ministry of Education, and the World Health Organization underscored a notable surge in e-cigarette usage among adolescents aged 13-15 years in 2021, emphasizing the urgency of targeted interventions to mitigate this concerning trend.

Translate »