Updated date: 08/03/2024 14:07:07
DTO - The trend of using electronic cigarettes (ELC) and heated tobacco products (HTP) among young people is increasing. In Dong Thap , the number of students using EC and HTP is increasing, this situation is alarming as new generation cigarettes (NEC) are infiltrating schools, causing unpredictable harm to young people...
Master Nguyen Thi Dieu Hien - Head of Health Education Communication Department, Dong Thap Center for Disease Control, propagates the harmful effects of electronic cigarettes to students of Dong Thap University.
NEW GENERATION CIGARETTES INVADE YOUTH
The conclusion at the session explaining the responsibility for state management of the prevention and control of harmful effects of e-cigarettes and non-cigarettes of the Social Committee of the National Assembly on May 4, 2024 gave a general assessment of the use of e-cigarettes and non-cigarettes in Vietnam: The rate of e-cigarette and non-cigarette use is increasing, especially among young people, students and pupils. Accordingly, the rate of e-cigarette smoking among people aged 15 and over in the period 2015 - 2020 increased 18 times (from 0.2 - 3.6%), the highest concentration was in the age group of 15 - 24 (7.3%); the rate of use among students in the age group of 13 - 17 increased from 2.6% (in 2019) to 8.1% (in 2023); In the 13-15 age group, in 2023, this rate was 8% and is more than double that of 2022 (3.5%); 1.8% of students have ever used electronic devices (2.8% for boys and 0.8% for girls)...
The above conclusion confirms that there is a situation of taking advantage of electronic cigarettes and electronic drugs to illegally circulate and use drugs. In 2022, the whole country discovered, arrested and handled 51 cases, 97 subjects illegally buying, selling and storing drugs under the guise of food, food, electronic cigarettes; including 32 cases with 58 subjects for the act of marinating drugs in herbs, electronic cigarettes; seized 124.1 kg and 40.7 liters of solution containing drugs mixed into cigarettes, electronic cigarettes and electronic cigarettes. In the first quarter of 2024, the police nationwide discovered and handled 111 cases, 152 subjects related to electronic cigarettes and electronic cigarettes, of which 33 cases with 73 subjects were prosecuted for drug crimes, the rest were administratively handled for the act of trading in goods of unknown origin.
In Dong Thap province, there is a phenomenon of some middle and high school students smoking e-cigarettes in coffee shops and parks. The question is, how did the banned item get into the hands of these students?
Through research, most of the children are curious about the taste and convenience of electronic cigarettes. Electronic cigarettes and electronic cigarettes are advertised and sold widely on the Internet, with unverified content, images, and effects, but are posted publicly through popular applications (Facebook, Tiktok, Zalo, etc.), leading to the situation where young people easily access electronic cigarettes and electronic cigarettes, with a variety of designs (designed in the form of pens, USBs, lipsticks, milk cartons, toys, etc.), prices, and the easy and popular purchase and sale of cigarettes via the Internet, personal social networking sites, exchanges, and sales on groups, making it very difficult to manage and control.
Information about electronic cigarettes is widely advertised on social networks, making it difficult for authorities to control.
“FLAVOR TRAP” AND ITS UNPREDICTABLE CONSEQUENCES
Students between the ages of 12 and 15 often like to explore new things. Electronic cigarettes and electronic drugs are things they want to “try” out of curiosity and to assert themselves. Meanwhile, according to health experts, electronic cigarettes and electronic drugs are toxic and have many consequences.
Most middle and high school students, although they clearly understand the harmful effects of e-cigarettes and e-cigarettes, still use them because they are advertised on social networks with attractive introductions. According to MT - a 12th grade student at TN High School: Currently, many of my classmates use e-cigarettes, both male and female; compared to regular cigarettes, e-cigarettes taste sweet and have a fragrant smell. According to MT, because they are afraid that the school will find out and they will be punished and have their conduct severely reduced, they often go to the restroom to smoke secretly. E-cigarettes are also easy to buy, just go online to choose the type that suits your budget and place an order, the seller will deliver it to your door. The disposable Pod (smoking device) costs from a few tens of thousands to 200,000 VND, the type that can be used with essential oils many times costs from 300,000 VND to 1 million VND, the price of essential oils is only about 150,000 VND.
Most students who use e-cigarettes have the same opinion, because e-cigarettes can be smoked many times, do not have a bad smell like cigarettes, and especially can choose many different flavors, so they like to use them.
There are currently no specific statistics on how many minors in Dong Thap have ever smoked. NVA, a student from Ward 1, Cao Lanh City, said: You smoke e-cigarettes outside of school, in private places, so teachers and parents do not know and it is difficult to detect. According to NVA, all you need is money to buy new generation cigarettes on social networks.
According to specialist doctor II Phan Thanh Tung - Director of Dong Thap Center for Disease Control, the structure of an e-cigarette includes a battery, charger, heating element, air flow; and a part containing an electronic solution tube. This solution usually contains Nicotine, flavoring agents, Propylene glycol and vegetable Glycerin. In addition, e-cigarettes also contain attractive flavoring agents. Propylene glycol (although considered safe in food but not for inhalation) can form Propylene oxide, a carcinogen when heated. Therefore, it will make users addicted, and over time can cause cardiovascular diseases, lung cancer, and poisoning.
Parade to promote “Protecting children from the impacts of the tobacco industry” in 2024 in Cao Lanh City
Experts warn of the harmful effects of using electronic devices on health, economy, security and order, and the environment such as: increased risk of non-communicable diseases, mental disorders, impaired brain maturation, reduced learning ability, labor productivity and affecting the development of adolescents and young people; causing fires, explosions, injuries when electronic devices are broken or faulty. In addition, it also creates an economic burden for families and society; is easily exploited to marinate, mix drugs, addictive substances, leading to the risk of causing disorder and social insecurity; increased environmental pollution due to electronic waste from electronic devices, especially with single-use devices.
Therefore, it is very necessary to prevent young people from using new generation cigarettes. Accordingly, controlling and strictly managing their children so that they do not become "addicted" to new generation cigarettes is something that parents must do regularly. Along with that is close coordination between family and school. In particular, schools need to further promote propaganda work to keep students away from cigarettes, especially new generation cigarettes.
MILLENNIUM RIVER
Source: https://baodongthap.vn/suc-khoe/tac-hai-khon-luong-tu-thuoc-la-dien-tu-124475.aspx
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