Half of 10 ASEAN countries have imposed bans on e-cigarettes and vaping products, Malaya Business Insight reports, citing an assessment by the Southeast Asia Tobacco Control Alliance (SEATCA).
According to SEATCA, Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Singapore and Thailand currently ban the sale and use of vaporizers and e-cigarettes.
Meanwhile, Burma and Vietnam don’t ban these products. On the opposite hand, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines regulate vaporizers and e-cigarettes. SEATCA has called on these countries to introduce stricter regulations on these products.
According to a report by the National University of Singapore, A Global Health White Paper Series 2021 reveals the exciting development of the e-cigarette industry in Southeast Asia. Although the industry is comparatively latest, it has experienced significant growth in several markets within the region. In 2019, e-cigarette products were available in six countries/regions in Southeast Asia, including Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam, Taiwan and Hong Kong, with a complete market value of USD 595.3 million.
The e-cigarette market within the region is predicted to grow by 29%, reaching a complete market value of $766.3 million by 2023. The e-cigarette market within the Philippines and Vietnam has been growing steadily since 2013. Meanwhile, growth in Indonesia and is predicted The Philippines is predicted to be particularly strong, with Indonesia more likely to overtake Malaysia as the most important e-cigarette market in Southeast Asia by 2021.
The e-cigarette industry has launched a really aggressive marketing campaign geared toward luring young people into high-risk addiction. These efforts rely heavily on social media, live shows and sporting events to influence the younger generation.
While they could appear trivial at times, e-cigarettes actually pose serious risks. WHO says an individual using an e-cigarette still inhales the e-cigarette, which accommodates harmful particles and chemicals. These materials can enter the smallest respiratory tract and be absorbed by the body, causing toxic effects. Moreover, the nicotine contained in e-cigarettes may cause serious harm.
In addition to the risks to the smoker, using e-cigarettes may harm others nearby, very like secondhand smoke does for tobacco smokers.
However, in keeping with the WHO, many countries have now taken the initiative to ban the usage of e-cigarettes. This motion is being taken as a precautionary measure while policymakers proceed to collect and examine the growing evidence.
Source:
- Naval, G. (2023, October 23). 5 out of 10 SEA countries ban the usage of vaporizers and e-cigarettes. Malaya.com.ph. https://malaya.com.ph/news_news/5-in-10-sea-nations-ban-vapes-e-cigarettes/
- THE CASE OF TIGHTENING REGULATIONS ON E-Cigarettes in Southeast Asia. (2021). https://sph.nus.edu.sg/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Tightening-E-Cigarette-Reregulations-in-Southeast-Asia.pdf
- E-cigarettes contain dangerous, addictive and harmful substances. (2023, September 28). World Health ORganisation. https://www.who.int/thailand/news/feature-stories/detail/e-cigarettes-contain-hazardous-substances–addictive-and-harmful
