What do Hai Duong people say about the proposal to ban the circulation of electronic cigarettes?

Should be banned immediately

Recently, many experts have expressed their opinions on the need to ban e-cigarettes in Vietnam soon. Previously, in 2022, the Ministry of Health also proposed to ban all new generation tobacco products, including e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products, because they pose long-term harm to the younger generation.

Hai Duong Newspaper reporters surveyed many people, all of whom agreed with the above viewpoint. “My daughter is in 9th grade this year, but she and her friends have been secretly smoking e-cigarettes for 3 years now. Controlling them is not easy. The children have gone from being obedient to being spoiled, neglecting their studies, only focusing on hanging out, and their health is affected. Banning this type of cigarette in Vietnam needs to be done immediately,” said Ms. NHM, a person whose child smokes e-cigarettes.

Mr. Nguyen Quang Vinh in Hai Duong City is particularly concerned about the above problem. He believes that the "explosion" of electronic cigarettes in recent times is very alarming. The majority of users are young people, many of whom are junior high school students. The harmful effects of cigarettes on health are very serious and have been proven through many real-life cases. More seriously, some types are mixed with addictive substances, even drugs. "The ban on electronic cigarettes in Vietnam needs to be implemented soon. We cannot let this problem explode any further. The consequences will be very serious if not controlled and prevented early and can affect the quality of the race," Mr. Vinh stated his opinion.

From a medical perspective, Dr. Nguyen Van Luu, Director of Hai Duong Lung Hospital, believes that banning the circulation of electronic cigarettes is necessary. The nature of electronic cigarettes is similar to that of regular cigarettes, and even more dangerous. The chemical components in this type of cigarette can cause dangerous diseases to come more quickly to regular users, including cancer.

What worries Mr. Pham Hong Quan, Deputy Director of the Department of Education and Training of Hai Duong, is that e-cigarettes are not yet regulated in the Law on Prevention of Tobacco Harms. Because there are no regulations, there is no legal framework for management and regulation. Just promoting and mobilizing young people to quit e-cigarettes is not enough. There needs to be strong sanctions against those who trade in this type of drug, even in cyberspace.

Will recommend to the National Assembly

Deputy Head of the National Assembly Delegation of Hai Duong Province Nguyen Thi Viet Nga is also very worried about a group of young people who are being swept up in the trend of using new generation tobacco products, including e-cigarettes. The ban on this type of cigarette in Vietnam requires amendments and supplements to legal regulations, especially the Law on Prevention of Tobacco Harms. “At previous sessions of the National Assembly, some delegates have expressed their opinions on this issue. In the near future, I will likely continue to propose to the National Assembly to ban the circulation of e-cigarettes, especially the part on strict sanctions for violations if the law is amended,” said Ms. Nga.

It is not yet possible to confirm whether e-cigarettes will be banned in our country or not. However, in the immediate future, many opinions suggest that relevant agencies, units and localities need to step up propaganda and raise awareness of society about the harmful effects and consequences of e-cigarettes. This can be organized into a large-scale campaign throughout the province, including a photo exhibition on the harmful effects of new-generation cigarettes to raise awareness for the younger generation. Each school needs to have strict regulations on handling students who trade, store and use e-cigarettes. Authorities should proactively detect and handle illegal e-cigarette trading.