"Death trap" behind the fragrant smoke

Fragrant smoke infused with fruit or mint flavors, and stylish, compact devices resembling portable hard drives or lipsticks, have been infiltrating lecture halls, cafes, and even small streets. Electronic cigarettes, pods, and vapes are not only prevalent in major cities but have also appeared in many localities, including Quang Ninh.

  However, behind that modern and harmless "facade," e-cigarettes are a silent trap that destroys health, sending young people straight to the emergency room or psychiatric hospital.

E-cigarettes, a disguised tool for the new generation of drugs.

In late 2025, at the Hung Thang intersection in Tuan Chau ward, authorities arrested an individual for possessing eight e-cigarettes branded "pod chill." The dangerous aspect was that testing revealed the e-liquid contained the synthetic drug CBD. Although the suspect was subsequently prosecuted, it is clear that drugs disguised as e-cigarette liquids are infiltrating the market, targeting young people. These "pod chill" products containing synthetic drugs pose serious harm to the nervous system, potentially leading to hallucinations and uncontrolled behavior. According to statistics from the Quang Ninh Mental Health Hospital, from 2024 to the present, the hospital has recorded 184 cases of mental disorders related to e-cigarette use requiring hospitalization, the majority of which were students and teenagers.

Doctors at the Substance Abuse Disorders Department of Quang Ninh Mental Health Hospital are examining and advising patients.

Dr. Vu Minh Hanh, Director of the Quang Ninh Mental Health Hospital, warns that the brain structure of middle and high school students is still developing and is very vulnerable to stimulants. High concentrations of nicotine in e-cigarette products not only cause severe addiction but also impair memory, reduce concentration, and cause anxiety, depression, and sleep disorders. This is not to mention the toxic additives such as methyl salicylate, glycerin, and propylene glycol, which, when burned, transform into toxins that directly penetrate the alveoli, causing acute lung damage and increasing the long-term risk of cancer.

In reality, the hidden variation of new drugs is the illusory smoke from e-cigarettes. Taking advantage of the heating mechanism of e-liquids in new generation pod and vape devices, many individuals have mixed synthetic drugs, marijuana, synthetic cannabinoids, or new psychoactive substances into the vaping liquid. Fruity or candy flavors, attractive packaging, and compact designs make the product easily disguised as a technological gadget. However, once addicted to nicotine or drawn into these disguised addictive substances, quitting is much more difficult than initially thought.

Major Nguyen Van Hoan, Deputy Head of the Specialized Team, Drug Crime Investigation Department (Quang Ninh Provincial Police), introduces how to identify and the harmful effects of e-cigarettes.

Resolution 173/2024/QH15 on questioning activities at the 8th Session of the 15th National Assembly clearly states that the National Assembly unanimously agreed to prohibit the production, trading, import, storage, transportation, and use of e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products, and various gases and substances that are addictive and harmful to human health from 2025... The Ministry of Health is also seeking opinions on the draft Law on Prevention and Control of Tobacco Harm (amended), which proposes prohibiting people born on or after January 1, 2010, from buying and using tobacco.

To eradicate illegal drug trafficking hotspots, relying solely on penalties from authorities is insufficient; it requires close, three-pronged cooperation between families, schools, and society. Families need to pay closer attention to any unusual changes in their children. Schools need to strengthen communication, monitoring, and school psychology counseling, while also creating a smoke-free and drug-free learning environment. Healthcare and social services need to coordinate communication and early screening for mental and behavioral disorders related to nicotine, e-cigarette, and drug use, especially among adolescents.

Nguyen Anh D, a young man from Hong Gai ward who used e-cigarettes, shared: “I used e-cigarettes before, but I quit because my grandmother advised and insisted on it. I see that some of my friends are still using them, and that is really dangerous. I hope my friends will soon understand the harmful effects of cigarettes and e-cigarettes so they can quit, first and foremost for their own health and future.”

It's time for society as a whole to recognize the true nature of the new generation of e-cigarettes: They are not symbols of "fashion," not harmless pastimes, and certainly not stress relievers, but rather a sweet but dangerous "death trap" that must be resolutely eradicated.

Thu Giang

Source: https://baoquangninh.vn/bay-tu-than-sau-lan-khoi-thom-3409412.html