New tobacco products and misleading advertising

In recent years, in addition to cigarettes, cigars, and tobacco products (pipe tobacco) that are being managed under the provisions of the Law on Prevention and Control of Tobacco Harms, new tobacco products have appeared on the market, the most popular of which are electronic cigarettes (Electronic Nicotine Delivery - ENDs) and heated tobacco products (Heated Tobacco Products - HTPs).

Globally , an estimated 37 million children aged 13–15 use tobacco. In many countries, e-cigarette use among adolescents is already higher than adult use.

In Vietnam, the rate of cigarette use among adult men in Vietnam has decreased but is still high (41.1% - STEPS - WHO 2021 survey). For e-cigarettes, the rate of e-cigarette use among adults (15 years and older) in 2015 was 0.2% (GATS 2015), and in 2020 it was 3.6% (PGATS 2020). The highest rate of e-cigarette use is concentrated in the age group 15-24 (7.3%) followed by the age groups 25-44 years old (3.2%), 45-64 years old (1.4%) (PGATS 2020).

E -cigarettes and heated tobacco products are promoted by companies as "harm reduction products". This has led many people, especially young people, to misunderstand that e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products are harmless and not addictive . The World Health Organization affirms that these are misleading advertisements.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), e-cigarettes are not a product that helps quit smoking conventional cigarettes. There is no evidence in the world that e-cigarettes help quit smoking conventional cigarettes. WHO also does not confirm that e-cigarettes are a measure to support smoking cessation. Evidence shows that people who use e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products are at risk of using conventional cigarettes, many people use both e-cigarettes and conventional cigarettes at the same time. E-cigarettes not only do not help quit smoking but also make non-smokers addicted to nicotine. Young people who have never smoked conventional cigarettes but use e-cigarettes are 2-3 times more likely to become addicted to conventional cigarettes than those who have never used e-cigarettes .

Electronic cigarettes and heated tobacco products are not less harmful than regular cigarettes . The World Health Organization affirms that no tobacco product is safe for health. Electronic cigarettes and heated tobacco products contain nicotine and are still addictive products. According to the international classification of diseases, nicotine dependence is classified as a disorder caused by the use of stimulants or addictive behaviors. Nicotine is also a toxic substance , causing cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive diseases...

All tobacco products are harmful to health . The promotion that heated tobacco products contain fewer harmful chemicals than traditional cigarettes will mislead users about the harmful effects of heated tobacco products . WHO calls on countries to prevent unfounded conclusions about the safety of these products and to fully implement effective tobacco control measures stipulated in the Framework Convention instead of using new products that are advertised as less harmful.

In fact, new tobacco products are targeting young people . In Vietnam, recently, cases of poisoning due to the use of electronic cigarettes have been recorded in many provinces and cities. Notably, most of the cases occurred among school-age children, including women .

Electronic cigarettes use many flavors and chemicals, so they are exploited for drug use through mixing. Drug criminals mix drugs into the solution to entice children to smoke, leading them into drug addiction.

According to preliminary statistics at the Poison Control Center of Bach Mai Hospital , from 2020 to now, the Center has received about 100 cases of nicotine and synthetic drug poisoning due to the use of electronic cigarettes. Due to the serious harm of new tobacco products to health, especially the younger generation, if these new tobacco products are not resolutely prevented in Vietnam before it is too late, the younger generation will have to suffer huge consequences.

There are 42 countries in the world that have banned e-cigarettes . In the ASEAN region, there are 5 countries that have completely banned e-cigarettes: Thailand, Singapore, Laos, Brunei, and Cambodia.

On November 30, 2024, at the 8th Session of the 15th National Assembly , the National Assembly issued Resolution No. 173/2024/QH15, agreeing to ban the production, trading, import, storage, transportation, and use of e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products, gases, and addictive substances that are harmful to human health from 2025, ensuring public health, order, and social safety. By January 1, 2025, Vietnam will officially ban the production, trading, import, transportation, and use of e-cigarettes. This is a strong decision from the Government to protect public health and minimize the serious consequences caused by tobacco, especially for young people.

Source: https://soyte.camau.gov.vn/bai-khoa-hoc-chinh-tri-va-xa-hoi/cac-san-pham-thuoc-la-moi-va-nhung-quang-cao-gay-nham-lan-285821