Notably, smoking e-cigarettes has become popular among people in the 15-24 age group.

Dr. Luong Ngoc Khue, Director of the Medical Examination and Treatment Administration, and Director of the Tobacco Harm Prevention Fund (Ministry of Health), said that Vietnamese youth have better awareness of the harmful effects of smoking.

"The rate of tobacco use among youth aged 13-15 decreased from 2.5% in 2014 to 1.9% in 2022," Khue said.

However, in recent years, many new products called e-cigarettes and heated cigarettes have appeared in Vietnam, luring many young people. 

The number of e-cigarette smokers in 2020 increased 18 times compared to 2015 (from 0.2% to 3.6%). In particular, the trend of using e-cigarettes was mainly among the 15-24 age group.

Meanwhile, a survey of tobacco use among students aged 13-15 in 2022 shows that 3.5% were smokers.

According to Deputy Minister of Health Tran Van Thuan, e-cigarettes and heated cigarettes or shiska are not allowed to be imported, traded and circulated in the domestic market but these products are advertised, especially on the Internet.

"These products are eye-catchingly designed and very attractive to young people. This has led to a rapid increase in the use of e-cigarettes in our country, especially among students," said an official of the Ministry of Health.

According to experts, the use of e-cigarettes and heated cigarettes can cause damage to the lungs, heart and brain. 

Like smoking cigarettes, heated cigarettes and e-cigarettes also emit harmful chemicals such as nitrosamines and hydrocarbons found in car fumes and cancer-causing pesticides. Using e-cigarettes and heated tobacco causes nicotine addiction.

Minh An