GTNF 2023: How East Asia Set Standards in Tobacco Control

On the morning of September 20, at the GNTF forum, guests engaged in an in-depth exchange on the topic of "Regulation: International Perspectives," discussing their respective countries' e-cigarette regulatory policies.

On-site | Source: 2firsts

The discussion was hosted by David Bertram, EUK Consulting Director, and attended by Adam Afriyie, Member of Parliament for Windsor, Dr. Deng Ming, Head of NGPs Industrial Research at Yunnan University, Dave Dobbins, former Chief Operating Officer of the Heritage Foundation/Truth Initiative, Marina Foltea, International Trade Law expert and Founder/Managing Director of Trade Pacts Consulting, and Kezia Purick, Member of the Legislative Assembly for the Northern Territory of Australia.

Adam Afriyie expressed disappointment and concern over the significant increase in the smoking rate among British teenagers, rising from 6% to 13%. This is not the desired direction of development and goes against the guidelines promoted by the World Health Organization (WHO). While the UK has made progress in harm reduction products, there is still work to be done. Afriyie emphasized the alarming appeal of e-cigarettes and cigarettes to underage individuals and stressed the importance of regulating their use. Rather than solely relying on bans, he suggested informing and educating young people based on scientific facts and data.

Dr. Deng Ming stated that regulatory policies in the Asian region are diverse, but China, Japan, and South Korea have set good examples in tobacco control measures. He provided examples, such as these countries establishing designated smoking areas and providing smoking alternatives for those trying to quit. In South Korea, violations of smoking regulations result in fines imposed by the police, highlighting the importance of enforcement efforts.

Kezia Purick has pointed out that smoking has been a major health hazard in Australia over the past decade, similar to alcohol consumption. Australia has implemented strict regulatory policies and banned cigarette advertisements. In fact, cigarette production has not been seen in Australia since 1976. Regulations require health warning labels on the packaging of tobacco products, which should be present on every pack. In Australia, smokers interested in using e-cigarettes, as well as flavored ones such as candy, must obtain a prescription from a doctor, in order to prevent attracting minors. The country also has smoking cessation organizations that help individuals quit smoking, and these organizations have successfully assisted numerous smokers in their journey to quit.