Vietnam’s Ministry of Health and health experts have voiced concerns over the growing use of e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products, particularly among young people. During a seminar held on October 3, the ministry firmly rejected claims that these new-generation tobacco products are less harmful than traditional cigarettes.

Nguyen Trong Khoa, Deputy Director of the Department of Medical Examination and Treatment under the Ministry of Health, highlighted that tobacco companies have been promoting these products as a safer alternative to traditional smoking. However, Khoa stressed that no scientific evidence supports the claim that e-cigarettes or heated tobacco products reduce harm or aid in quitting smoking.

Khoa emphasized that e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products contain high levels of nicotine, which can be addictive and harmful, especially to the brain development of children and adolescents. These products also contain hazardous chemicals that can cause cancer, similar to traditional cigarettes.

The notion that e-cigarettes are 95% less harmful than traditional cigarettes, often quoted by a small group of experts, stems from a study funded by the tobacco industry and lacks scientific credibility, according to Khoa.

According to reports, Vietnam’s tobacco control efforts have seen success in reducing traditional cigarette use among youth. The smoking rate among adolescents aged 13-17 decreased from 5.36% in 2013 to 2.78% in 2019. For those aged 13-15, the rate of cigarette use dropped from 2.5% in 2014 to 1.9% in 2022.

However, the use of new-generation tobacco products, particularly e-cigarettes, has surged. A recent survey found that the use of e-cigarettes among students aged 13-15 rose from 3.5% to 8% between 2022 and 2023.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has cautioned against claims that heated tobacco products contain fewer harmful chemicals than traditional cigarettes, warning that such claims could mislead the public. The WHO urges countries to implement strict measures to combat these misleading claims and uphold strong tobacco control policies.

In response, the Ministry of Health has reiterated its stance of not accepting any financial or material benefits from the tobacco industry that could influence public health policies.

E-cigarette vapor contains harmful chemicals, including acetone, acrolein, formaldehyde, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNAs). While the concentration of some harmful substances may be lower in heated tobacco products, other chemicals present in higher concentrations pose serious health risks.

The Ministry of Health remains committed to enforcing tobacco control laws and protecting public health, especially against the rising threat of new tobacco products.

Hanh Nguyen