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.
Disclaimer
This article is provided solely for professional research, industry discussion, and informational purposes. Any references to brands, companies, products, technologies, or policies are made for factual reporting and analytical purposes only, and do not constitute endorsement, recommendation, promotion, or advertising by 2Firsts.
Nicotine-containing products, including but not limited to cigarettes, e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products, and nicotine pouches, carry significant health risks. Readers are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions, including age restrictions and access limitations.
The information contained in this article should not be regarded as investment, legal, medical, regulatory, or commercial advice. While 2Firsts strives to ensure the accuracy and reliability of its content, it does not assume liability for any direct or indirect loss arising from errors, omissions, inaccuracies, or reliance on the information contained herein.
This article is not intended for individuals below the legal age for accessing tobacco or nicotine-related information in their jurisdiction.
Copyright Notice
This article is either original content produced by 2Firsts or content reproduced, translated, summarized, or adapted from third-party sources with attribution where applicable. The intellectual property rights of the original content remain with 2Firsts or the respective original rights holders.
No individual or organization may copy, reproduce, distribute, republish, modify, translate, or otherwise use this content without prior authorization. Any unauthorized use may result in legal action.
For copyright-related inquiries, corrections, or removal requests, please contact: info@2firsts.com.
AI-Assisted Translation and Editing Notice
Portions of this article may have been translated, edited, or reviewed with the assistance of artificial intelligence tools to improve efficiency and readability. Due to the limitations of AI-assisted translation and editing, discrepancies, omissions, or inaccuracies may exist when compared with the original source.
Where applicable, readers are advised to refer to the original source for the most complete and accurate information. If you identify any errors or believe that any content infringes upon your rights, please contact us at info@2firsts.com, and we will review and address the matter promptly.
