In recent years, the use of new generation tobacco products has been on the rise, especially among young people. There have been numerous cases of students being hospitalized in emergency situations due to stimulation, psychosis, hallucinations, or respiratory failure caused by poisoning from substances found in these products.
So, what are new generation tobacco products and how can we identify them? According to representatives from the Tobacco Harm Prevention Fund (Ministry of Health), in recent years, in addition to traditional cigarette products, cigars, and loose tobacco that are managed under the Tobacco Harm Prevention Law, the market has seen the emergence of new products, the most common being electronic cigarettes and heated tobacco.
Currently, the Tobacco Harm Prevention Law does not regulate “electronic cigarettes” and “heated tobacco”, which means that these products are not permitted for import, trade, or legal circulation in Vietnam.
Manufacturers and many social media platforms selling electronic cigarettes and heated tobacco attempt to attract customers with appealing designs, which may resemble traditional cigarettes or look like pens, USB drives, or lipstick, making it easy for young people to purchase and use them without detection.
“Electronic cigarettes” and “heated tobacco” are not permitted for import, trade, or legal circulation in Vietnam.
Electronic cigarettes are battery-operated devices that heat a liquid (e-liquid) to produce aerosol containing flavoring agents, usually dissolved in propylene glycol and/or glycerin. To mask the harshness of nicotine, making the product more pleasant and easier to inhale while creating appealing flavors to attract users, especially young people, manufacturers use a variety of flavorings such as mint, apple, orange, lemon, etc. in electronic cigarettes.
Meanwhile, heated tobacco is a product that uses electronic devices to heat tobacco sticks (or tobacco pellets) to a temperature sufficient to create “aerosol” (smoke), which contains nicotine—a highly addictive substance—and various chemicals and additives, often with many flavors.
Electronic cigarettes and heated tobacco products have emerged over the past decade, and scientific evidence regarding their toxicity and long-term health effects is still under investigation. However, many preliminary studies have indicated health consequences associated with the use and passive exposure to the aerosol/smoke from these products.
Electronic cigarettes are marketed and advertised as a “safer” alternative, and users often believe they are “less harmful” than traditional cigarettes. However, laboratory studies have confirmed that electronic cigarettes produce harmful chemicals similar to those found in tobacco, along with flavoring agents and heavy metals. These substances can pose health risks beyond the inherent dangers of nicotine.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there is currently no evidence that electronic cigarettes help users quit traditional tobacco. The WHO does not endorse electronic cigarettes as “a smoking cessation aid.” Evidence indicates that users of electronic cigarettes and heated tobacco are at increased risk of using traditional cigarettes, with many using both electronic and traditional cigarettes simultaneously. Electronic cigarettes not only fail to help people quit smoking but can also lead non-smokers to become addicted to nicotine. Young people who have never smoked traditional cigarettes but use electronic cigarettes are twice to three times more likely to become addicted to traditional cigarettes compared to those who have never used electronic cigarettes.
There is no evidence that electronic cigarettes help users quit traditional tobacco.
WHO has warned: Allowing new products will rapidly increase the use of these products, leading to nicotine addiction and the use of traditional cigarettes among young people. Stakeholders need to prioritize implementing measures to prevent the initiation of new tobacco product use, including at the highest level of enacting prohibitions.
According to WHO, there are no tobacco products that are safe for health. Electronic cigarettes and heated tobacco contain nicotine and remain addictive products. According to the International Classification of Diseases, nicotine dependence is classified as a disorder caused by substance use or addictive behaviors. Nicotine is also a toxic substance that causes cardiovascular, respiratory, and digestive diseases.
The report at the 6th and 7th Conference of the Parties to the Framework Convention states: “All tobacco products are harmful to health. Promoting heated tobacco as having fewer harmful chemicals than traditional tobacco can mislead users about the harms of heated tobacco.” New generation tobacco products are not correctly identified, leading to misunderstandings and usage that has serious consequences for public health.
