More than 62% of students still believe that e-cigarettes and heated tobacco help quit cigarettes
On April 9, the University of Public Health (Hanoi) coordinated with units to organize a workshop to announce research results on the current situation of violations of regulations prohibiting the sale, advertising and promotion of e-cigarettes and heated tobacco.
The conference announced a study conducted by a group of lecturers and scientists of the school in Hanoi, Hue, Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City, surveying nearly 2,500 students aged 18-24, combined with observing 126 retail outlets and 24 in-depth interviews.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Bich Thao, representative of the research group, said that the results showed that about 14% of students had tried e-cigarettes and 3% are using them. For heated tobacco, the rates are 6% and 0.8% respectively. Especially, the average age to start using these products is only about 16.9 years old.
Not only that, more than 62% of students still believe that e-cigarettes and heated tobacco help quit cigarettes. Surveys also show that many young people believe that these products do not contain nicotine or are harmless to health. These are common misconceptions.
Many tricks to "circumvent the law" to cope with ban regulations
Ms. Bui Thi Thu Giang, program manager of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids Organization, added that in the period 2018 - 2025, 3.4 billion advertisements for new tobacco products were recorded in more than 60 countries.
These contents reach about 385 million accounts, of which 40% are people under 25 years old, including about 150 million teenagers.
After Resolution No. 173/2024/QH15 banning e-cigarettes and heated tobacco of the National Assembly was implemented, research recorded initial positive changes in controlling e-cigarettes and heated tobacco.
A survey at 126 retail outlets that used to trade in these products and had specific addresses on Google Maps showed that 64.3% of establishments had closed down. This shows that the implementation of Resolution No. 173/2024/QH15 has clearly impacted the termination of public business activities at direct stores.
However, sellers use many "tricks" to circumvent censorship such as using encrypted keywords (naming the pod head "electric toothbrush head", essential oil "room fragrance spray"), or cutting and pasting product images to evade algorithms. Age verification is almost neglected, just having an account can buy goods.
In addition, social media algorithms also create "content loops", continuously proposing new tobacco-related products to people who have searched, making giving up more difficult.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Thi Thanh Huong, Vice Rector of the University of Public Health, said: "Although the ban regulation has been in effect since January 1, 2025 according to the National Assembly's resolution, the actual use and level of advertising exposure among students in Hanoi, Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City is still at an alarming level.
These research results provide important scientific evidence, helping policymakers have more data to improve sub-law regulations.
