Reporter (PV): Madam, recently electronic cigarettes and heated tobacco products have been mentioned a lot on forums. Is it true that the rate of people using these types of cigarettes is increasing?

Dr. Phan Thi Hai: It is true that while the rate of smoking conventional cigarettes is decreasing, the rate of using e-cigarettes is increasing rapidly, especially among young people. According to a 2019 survey by the World Health Organization (WHO), the rate of using e-cigarettes among 15-17 year old students in Vietnam is 2.6%. The 2022 survey on tobacco use among students shows that the rate of using e-cigarettes among 13-15 year old students is 3.5%.

Evidence from countries that allow e-cigarettes shows that e-cigarettes are a cause of initiation to conventional cigarettes among adolescents because of the addictive nature of nicotine. Therefore, adolescents who use e-cigarettes are more likely to become conventional cigarette smokers. Adolescents who have never smoked but use e-cigarettes are 2-3.5 times more likely to switch to conventional cigarettes than adolescents who have never used e-cigarettes.

Dr. Phan Thi Hai, Deputy Director of the Fund for Prevention of Tobacco Harms (Ministry of Health).

Vietnam is a country with a very low rate of adult female smokers compared to men. However, with the emergence of electronic cigarette products aimed at women and children, the rate of female smokers will continue to increase rapidly. This will be accompanied by consequences for the quality of the race due to the phenomenon of feminization of adolescents, young people, and people of reproductive age who smoke.

If we do not resolutely prevent these new tobacco products in Vietnam, the rate of tobacco use will increase again. We will have to suffer much more serious consequences in the near future and the achievements will be destroyed. We will have to make more efforts, spend more human resources and finance to reduce the rate of smoking, solve the burden of disease and death caused by tobacco as well as the social, economic , environmental consequences, especially the serious consequences for the health of the younger generation.

PV: Many people think that e-cigarettes are not as harmful as regular cigarettes and think that this is a way to quit smoking. What is your opinion on this perception?

Dr. Phan Thi Hai: According to WHO, no tobacco product is safe for health. Electronic cigarettes and heated tobacco products contain nicotine, which causes cardiovascular, respiratory, and digestive diseases. The ingredients of electronic cigarette solutions also include glycerin and propylene glycol (which can form propylene oxide, a carcinogen when heated and vaporized). Glycerin, when heated and vaporized, forms acrolein, which causes dry mouth and inflammation of the upper respiratory tract. To make the product more pleasant, easier to inhale, and create an attractive flavor, attracting users, especially young people, manufacturers also use many types of flavorings such as: Mint, apple, orange, lemon, etc. in electronic cigarettes. There are currently about 20,000 types of flavorings, many of which have not been fully evaluated for their level of harm to health.

Smoking cessation counseling center at Bach Mai Hospital. (Photo provided by the Hospital)

In the report at the 6th and 7th Conference of the Parties to the Framework Convention (COP7), it was stated that 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.

PV: Has Vietnam licensed the circulation of electronic cigarettes yet, madam?

Dr. Phan Thi Hai: Electronic cigarettes are not regulated in the Law on Prevention of Tobacco Harms, so they are not allowed to be imported, bought, sold, produced, traded, or circulated. Electronic cigarettes and heated tobacco products are new products in Vietnam, so they have not been studied to propose inclusion in the list of prohibited goods for trading under the Investment Law.

At the Conference of Parties to the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (COP 8), WHO recommended: Authorization of new products will lead to rapid increases in the use of these products, leading to nicotine addiction and the use of conventional cigarettes among young people. Parties should consider prioritizing measures to prevent the initiation of new tobacco products, including at the highest level the promulgation of bans.

PV: So what solutions has Vietnam had to prevent the illegal entry of electronic cigarettes and their impact on young people?

Dr. Phan Thi Hai: Recently, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha signed Decision No. 568/QD-TTg promulgating the National Strategy on Tobacco Harm Prevention and Control to 2030, with strong and synchronous goals and solutions to enhance the effectiveness of tobacco harm prevention and control. In particular, the Strategy also emphasizes the continued "prevention of the use of electronic cigarettes, heated tobacco products, shisha and other new tobacco products in the community". The National Strategy on Tobacco Harm Prevention and Control to 2030 will be an important orientation for tobacco harm prevention and control in the coming time.

To prevent these products, we also hope to have the cooperation of ministries, departments, sectors, mass organizations, especially the media agencies to increase propaganda about the harmful effects of regular cigarettes, electronic cigarettes, and heated tobacco; agencies and units need to increase inspection, timely detect and strictly punish organizations and individuals who buy, sell, store, and transport electronic cigarettes, heated tobacco, and shisha.

PV : Thank you very much, doctor!

MINH HA (written)