Say no to e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products to protect the young generation

In recent years, many products known as e-cigarettes or heated tobacco products have appeared. Although not yet officially licensed, their sale and advertising are widespread. The rate of e-cigarette use in 2020 increased 18 times among both men and women compared to 2015 (from 0.2% to 3.6%). Notably, the trend of e-cigarette use is highly concentrated in the 15-24 age group.

Nói không với thuốc lá điện tử, thuốc lá nung nóng để bảo vệ thế hệ trẻ

Overview of the rally and launch ceremony. (Photo: Hong Chau)

On May 27th, in Hanoi, the Tobacco Control Fund ( Ministry of Health ), with technical support from the global public health organization Vital Strategies, held a rally to commemorate World No Tobacco Day (May 31st, 2023) and National No Tobacco Week (May 25-31st, 2023), and launched the communication campaign "Say No to e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products to protect the younger generation".

The campaign is part of a series of activities in response to the World Health Organization's (WHO) message calling on countries to promote communication activities to raise public awareness of the harmful effects of tobacco and new tobacco products on health, the economy , the environment, food security, and nutrition.

As part of the campaign, various communication activities will be implemented to raise awareness among teenagers and parents of teenagers about the harmful effects of e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products. Through these activities, the campaign calls on everyone to refrain from using tobacco products, e-cigarettes, and heated tobacco products to protect their own health, the health of their families, and the community.

The promotional videos conveying the message "Say No to e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products to protect the younger generation" were broadcast nationwide from May 27th to July 16th, 2023, on central and local television channels, in cinemas in major cities, in apartment buildings and high-rises, and on social media, helping the message reach a large number of people across the country.

Associate Professor Dr. Luong Ngoc Khue, Director of the Department of Medical Examination and Treatment Management and Director of the Tobacco Harm Prevention Fund, speaks at the campaign launch ceremony. (Photo: Hong Chau)

Speaking at the launching ceremony, Associate Professor Dr. Luong Ngoc Khue, Director of the Department of Medical Examination and Treatment Management and Director of the Tobacco Harm Prevention Fund, said that after 10 years of implementing the Law on Tobacco Harm Prevention and Control, with the attention of the National Assembly, the Government, and the Ministry of Health, efforts have been made to coordinate with ministries, sectors, organizations, and provinces and cities to implement tobacco harm prevention and control work.

"Thanks to the continuous efforts of the Tobacco Control Program in Vietnam, Vietnamese youth have gained a better understanding of the harmful effects of tobacco and have changed their behavior, actively participating in tobacco control activities. The rate of tobacco use among teenagers aged 13-15 decreased from 2.5% (in 2014) to 1.9% (in 2022). However, in recent years, many products called e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products have appeared. Although not yet licensed, their sale and advertising are widespread. The rate of e-cigarette use in 2020 for both men and women increased 18 times compared to 2015 (from 0.2% to 3.6%). In particular, the trend of e-cigarette use is highly concentrated in the 15-24 age group."

Therefore, in the Foundation's 2023 communication programs, we will strengthen the dissemination of information about the harmful effects of e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products, and promote communication on social media platforms (TikTok, YouTube, Facebook) to provide timely information and mobilize the participation of a large number of young people and students," Mr. Khue informed.

Dr. Tom Carroll, Senior Advisor on Communications and Policy Advocacy at Vital Strategies, an organization with many years of experience supporting tobacco control communications in Vietnam, shared some of the messages used in the "Say No to E-cigarettes and Heated Tobacco to Protect the Younger Generation" campaign, including: Using e-cigarettes and heated tobacco can damage the lungs, heart, and brain, especially in young people; Like smoking regular cigarettes, heated tobacco and e-cigarettes also release harmful chemicals such as nitrosamines and hydrocarbons found in car exhaust and pesticides that cause cancer; Using e-cigarettes and heated tobacco quickly leads to nicotine addiction and makes quitting difficult.

Delegates participate in a cycling event to raise awareness about preventing the harmful effects of tobacco. (Photo: Hong Chau)

With concrete facts and evidence about the harms of e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products, Dr. Tom Carroll also urged: "Say No to e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products to protect the younger generation."

The Tobacco Control Fund, Vital Strategies, and their partners hope that through this campaign, understanding the harmful effects of e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products will reach a wider audience in Vietnam, particularly impacting the awareness of teenagers and parents with teenage children, thereby contributing to preventing the circulation and use of these products in Vietnam.

As a key partner of the Bloomberg Initiative (BI) to reduce tobacco use globally, Vital Strategies works to support the development, advocacy, and implementation of policies to reduce tobacco use in more than 40 countries.

Vital Strategies' global team of experts, with their evidence-based strategic communications campaigns, helps countries pass and implement public health policies such as laws on tobacco control and exposure to secondhand smoke; increasing tobacco taxes; promoting public education on the harms of tobacco; and creating smoke-free environments.

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