Banning e-cigarettes: A 'shield' to protect public health

This decision received widespread support in society, especially when the use of new generation cigarettes, especially among young people, tended to increase rapidly; to protect public health, while limiting the risk of spreading drugs and addictive substances disguised as electronic cigarettes and heated tobacco products.

The health sector promotes propaganda to prevent the harmful effects of tobacco for students in Bac Kan ward.

E-cigarettes and heated tobacco products essentially still introduce nicotine, a highly addictive substance, into the body. Medical research has shown that nicotine alters brain structure, impairs cognitive function, and creates dependence even when used for a short period of time. Therefore, an absolute ban on new-generation cigarettes is necessary to protect public health and prevent the risk of the younger generation being "hooked" into a new form of addiction disguised as technology.

Manufacturers also use many sophisticated marketing tricks such as creating hundreds of fruit and soft drink flavors; designing eye-catching products like fashion accessories; promoting through social networks and KOLs - platforms that teenagers regularly access. This has caused the rate of children aged 13 to 17 exposed to e-cigarettes to increase sharply in just a few years; many schools have recorded students using them right in the restroom or near the school gate.

Nicotine's effects are particularly severe on the adolescent brain, a developmental stage that lasts until about age 25. Nicotine interferes with brain maturation, disrupts mood, reduces learning ability, increases the risk of depression, and makes it more likely that teens will try other drugs. A study in the United States found that teens who use e-cigarettes are four times more likely to smoke traditional cigarettes and three times more likely to try other addictive substances.

In Thai Nguyen , the authorities discovered a case involving a group of 9th graders who bought electronic cigarette devices online and had them delivered to their homes. One of the students had to be hospitalized after using them for a while due to difficulty breathing and rapid heartbeat. The doctor diagnosed acute nicotine poisoning. The family was shocked when they received the news because they had no idea their child had been exposed to this type of device. This is a clear warning about the level of danger that electronic cigarettes pose if not strictly controlled.

Electronic cigarettes are manufactured in many forms, designs and flavors.

The full ban on e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products by Congress is the right move given the rapid increase in their use and the potential risks. Failure to act now could cost the health of an entire generation, in addition to the enormous health burden that will be borne by the future.

Ms. Hoang Thi Viet, Bac Kan ward, shared: My son is studying at a university far from home. The family always reminds him to stay away from e-cigarettes, but the surrounding environment is difficult to control. A complete ban will help limit open trading, reducing the risk of children easily accessing and becoming addicted without realizing it. I hope the enforcement will be strict to protect our children.

In order for the policy to truly come into effect, many solutions need to be implemented synchronously in the coming time. First of all, the authorities must strengthen market inspection and strictly handle smuggling and illegal trading of e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products. Along with that, it is necessary to tighten management of advertising, livestreaming and online sales activities, especially on platforms with a large number of young people.

The education sector must be more proactive in disseminating and equipping knowledge for students, and at the same time coordinate with families and schools to detect early cases of e-cigarette use. In addition, the police force needs to strengthen inter-sectoral coordination to prevent the use of e-cigarettes to mix synthetic drugs - a form that has appeared in many localities and made management work more urgent.

E-cigarettes are opening up a trend of abusing toxic synthetic chemicals with the role of nicotine and even drugs. If not prevented from the beginning, this trend will spread and create difficult-to-control consequences. The total ban on new-generation cigarettes is in line with the recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the trend that many countries are applying. The ban not only protects public health today but also serves as a "safety barrier" for future generations.

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