PUBLISHED: 3 Feb 2025 at 04: 30
Following a threefold increase in the number of younger vaping in just one year, legal networks have unanimously agreed that the e-cigarette issue should be made a top national agenda item.
The issue was raised at a conference organised by the Senate council on Social Development, Children, Youth, Women, the Elderly, People with Disabilities, the Poor, and Social Diversity on Thursday in congress.
It was attended by the government, private sector, civil society, intellectual shops, areas, children companies, and family networks. The Tobacco Control Research and Knowledge Management Center, Thai Health Promotion Foundation, Office of the Consumer Protection Board, and the Action on Smoking and Health Foundation were among the members.
Citing a 2022 e-cigarette statement, Senate committee head Varapas Phaiphannarat said the number of e-cigarette people aged 15-24 had surged more than threefold, from 24, 050 to 269, 533 within a month.
Some 43 % of primary school students aged nine to 12 had now tried e-cigarettes, with a specially sharp increase in use among women. These figures “prove that there is a serious public health issue that threatens the well-being and future of Thai youth,” said Ms. Varapas, adding that the issue even has long-term social and economic repercussions.
The workshop focused on raising awareness of the problems of e-cigarettes by empowering individuals, communities, and institutions to get proactive roles in prevention. Additionally, members discussed ways to improve law enforcement.
Anxious parties were asked to assist in the development of guidelines that would prioritize children happiness and adhere to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Prakit Vathesatogkit, president of the Action on Smoking and Health Foundation, cited a recent national survey showing that 17 % of teenagers aged 13-15 were e-cigarette users, with the current figure possibly reaching 20-30 %.
Dr Prakit warned that e-cigarettes contain smoking, similar to conventional cigarettes. But, fresh vapers are especially vulnerable, as first exposure to nicotine can have serious effects on brain development.
” Reports show that younger users are five times more likely to suffer from despair and experience problems with concentration, irritability, and intellectual performance”, he added.
He also urged lawmakers never to legalise e-cigarettes, citing the case of the Philippines, where it has led to increased tobacco, a rise in the improper tobacco industry, and reduced taxes income.