Increased Risk of Teenagers Smoking Traditional Cigarettes

According to a report from hfocus, a Thailand news website, public health officials in Thailand have pointed out that if teenagers use e-cigarettes in their early stages, their likelihood of using tobacco cigarettes in the future could potentially triple.

The study, headed by Dr. Suwanna Ruangkanchanaset from the Thai Medical College, focused on the potential future use of conventional cigarettes among a group of 3,410 non-smoking students aged 12 to 17. Dr. Ruangkanchanaset is a member of the Thai Center for Tobacco Control and Alcohol Research (TCAT), with over 10% of the participants at risk of becoming traditional cigarette users in the future.

A recent study has revealed a notable increase in the proportion of young Australians aged 14 to 17 who have started using e-cigarettes, reversing a downward trend observed for over 20 years. Furthermore, data from the International Health Organization indicates that teenagers who use e-cigarettes are three times more likely to transition to smoking traditional cigarettes.

Dr. Lu An stated,"E-cigarettes serve as a training ground for traditional cigarette use, as they promote the learning of hand-to-mouth gestures and influence perceptions through advertising, ultimately leading to increased nicotine and traditional cigarette consumption. Consequently, Australia has strengthened its regulatory laws on e-cigarettes, allowing only those with a prescription from a doctor to purchase them in order to prevent easy access for children and adolescents."

Dr. Lu An points out that e-cigarettes are currently spreading to schools across Thailand. The main reason behind this is the targeting of children and teenagers through marketing strategies, combined with the government's failure to effectively implement import and sales bans. Furthermore, progress in educating about the dangers of e-cigarettes has been slow.

Dr. Prakit Vathesatogkit, the Chairman of the Thai Anti-Smoking Association, has called on the government to take action and enforce the law prohibiting the import and sale of e-cigarettes. He also emphasized the need for various channels to strengthen awareness of the hazards of e-cigarettes, particularly in schools.

He pointed out that e-cigarettes only increase government tax revenue, but in the future, they will face the cost of purchasing e-cigarettes, the health hazards they pose, and the cost of treating diseases in the future.

This study reiterates the urgent need to protect teenagers from the harm of e-cigarettes, and emphasizes the necessity for the government to strengthen control measures to ensure that they are not easily exposed to e-cigarette products.