Southeast Asia experiences a unprecedented increase in addiction to e-cigarettes amongst young people. Initially perceived as a approach to help smokes departure, e-cigarettes quickly became a standard cultural trend, and Vape stores appear in all places, flowering online and offline communities, and even the black Vape sales market. Therefore, the health crisis develops amongst this increase in addiction to e-cigarettes, which stays a difficult problem to unravel.
Alarming vaping growth
According to Emerald Insight, the worldwide variety of Vape users reached about 82 million in 2021, and 14.3 million comes from Southeast Asia. The global e-cigarette and vape market was priced at USD 22.8 billion ($ 31 billion) in 2022. Data from various countries indicate a disturbing increase in vaping, especially amongst teenagers and young adults on the age of 20 around the globe.
A survey conducted by an organization coping with consumer research, entitled “Cigarettes and alternative nicotine delivery products: testing using product and consumer behavior in Southeast Asia”, published on April 7, 2025, over 18,000 adults of legal age were viewed. The study analyzed their consumer patterns, taste preferences, purchase methods and reasons to begin using these products.
The study revealed a trend amongst young smokers in Southeast Asia after switching from traditional cigarettes to alternative nicotine products, comparable to vape and heated tobacco products (HTPS). A study conducted in Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, Philippines and Indonesia shows a decrease in smoking amongst people under 35 years of age. However, the identical age group is increasingly using vaping and HTP in comparison with the elderly.
The key aspects driving this trend include the wide availability of attractive flavors, especially fruit and menthol, and the idea that these alternatives are cheaper.
Gerald Ang, an operational director within the environment, stated, “E-cigarettes and heated tobacco products are” cheaper “are also a vital reason for the use of other nicotine products” He said on the press briefing on April 7, as quoted Straitstimes.com (April 8, 2025).
Like “vape” marketing of the hooks of young people
Investigative document in accordance with Channel news asiaBy containing data from the reporting of tobacco enforcement, necessary strategies (deadline) moreover emphasizes the marketing strategies utilized by electronic cigarette corporations to draw future generations of nicotine users.
Published as a part of Undercover Asia Series, “Smoke and Mirrors: Vaping Crisis of Southeast Asia” illustrates how cross-border marketing drives growing indicators of using e-cigarettes amongst young people in Southeast Asia. Despite the growing data on health threats related to electronic use of cigarettes, regulations aimed toward protecting young people against the harmful effects of nicotine in these products are delayed.
In short, “Vape Tricks in Indonesia: How do e-cigarettes use social media to connect young people” as a part of the information used for the document report with Asia Channel News, documented a marketing tactic used for electronic cigarettes in Indonesia.
Instead of presenting nicotine as devices, electronic cigarettes are sold as fashionable gadgets or fashionable lifestyle accessories. Tastes comparable to fruit, bubble gum, soda or cheesecake directly appeal to younger demographic data, in addition to anime characters included in some product designs.
“Smoke and Mirrors” reveals how “Vaping culture” is strongly promoted and maintains the addiction of young people. Posts in social media by influential and models glamourous use of e-cigarettes and promote specific brands and flavors, distorting the perception of their actual threats. Even the terms “vape” or “vaping” are industry marketing conditions to create the impression that produced aerosols are only as harmless as water vapor.
Dangers related to vaping: Case evidence
According to The Straits Times, Dr. Seva Duu Wen, head of respiratory medicine and important care at Singapore General Hospital, said The Straits Times in regards to the cases of patients who burned e-cigarettes.
“We have informed (case) wherein the patient developed respiratory failure as a consequence of the inaccurate accumulation of protein and fat material within the air bag (within the lungs) after the starting of vaping” He said.
He stated that the patient underwent a rare treatment procedure, called lung rinsing or washing the lungs, a selected procedure covering a saline solution to “wash” the lungs.
Dr. Seva also mentioned other cases, “There are also (other) anecdotal cases of patients who’ve been accepted for exacerbation of asthma and lung conditions after the beginning of vaping” He added as cited Straitstimes.com (April 15, 2024).
Experts are increasingly concerned in regards to the danger of vaping among the many global increase in using disposable vape and e-cigarettes, especially amongst teenagers and young adults.
Waping regulations in Southeast Asia
Strict regulations or public bans are implemented by several countries in Southeast Asia in relation to e-cigarettes, primarily as a consequence of fears related to using young people and potential health threats. The National Assembly of Vietnam voted definitely on November 30, 2024. Prohibition of electronic cigarettes and heated tobacco products from 2025.
Thailand, Singapore, Cambodia and Laos have already established raw bans of vaping products. Thailand actively increases its enforcement efforts, without hesitation in attacks of illegally imported e-cigarettes value one million dollars, adapting to the federal government to limit access to young people and reduce the smoking rate amongst younger generations.
The National Committee for Control of Tobacco Products in Thailand began the national initiative entitled “1 Province, 1 Hospital: Helping Thais in a comprehensive quitting of smoking and e-cigarettes.” This is to enhance programs to give up smoking and vaping. The Minister of Health of Thailand, Somsak Theputhin, encourages various government ministries to cooperate together on this effort, especially specializing in raising consciousness and stopping smoking amongst young people. This initiative is a component of the larger goal of Thailand, which is the establishment of smoke without smoke throughout the country. Their commitment for this purpose was recognized when the Saensuk commune received the ASEAN without smoke for creating public spaces without smoke.
These rules have a powerful caution, but in addition give birth to questions on whether public bans are probably the most effective approach to reduce use, or just drive the black market.
Indonesia chooses a special route
Perhaps amongst other countries within the region, the approach of Indonesia to vaping might be probably the most mild, which allows the industry to expand, if taxes are paid.
The proposed provisions considered in Indonesia are facing the opposition of interested parties. The legislator Nurhadi expressed fears that these provisions include peculiar packaging rules and promoting restrictions may cause a big decrease in tax income, potentially about $ 10 billion. The possibility of lower sales also exposes the workplaces of the family communities tobacco communities, creating further discussion amongst state officials.
Indonesia has already grow to be certainly one of the very best percentage of smokers on the planet and is the fundamental producer of tobacco around the globe. It is estimated that just about 40% of the country’s large population is smokers.
Spokes down groups say that e-cigarettes help heavy smokers in giving up traditional cigarettes. They also emphasize the fast Vape industry, which employs 200,000 people throughout the country.
Yayi Suryo Prabandari, a nicotine addict for a few years on the Gadjah Mada University in Yogyakart, Indonesia, where a nation of virtually 30% of individuals over 15 years “Vape and all its derivatives still contain nicotine and tar, not to say other chemicals utilized in its production.”
“Laboratory tests clearly showed that these compounds are harmful to our health” He continued as cited SCMP.COM (January 15, 2024).
Nevertheless, in a rustic where almost one out of three adults smoke, concerns about public health often occupy a spot.
References:
- Important strategies. “Smoke and Mirrors” strengthens the term data to extend the electronic use of cigarettes in Southeast Asia. vitalstrategies.org/smoke-and-mirrors-amplights-etm-tata-to-rarure-alarm-on-electronic-sigarette-use-in-in-southeast-asia/
- Channel News Asia (CNA). Undercover Asia – Smoke and Mirrors: Crisis in Southeast Asia. Channelnewsasia.com/watch/undercover-asia/smoke-and-mirrors-southast-asias-vaping-crisis-3375801
- Strait times. Vaping amongst young people in Singapore: real damage that they cause to their bodies. Straitstimes.com/singapore/vaping-among-youth-in-singapore-thereal-damage-it-is-ding-to-theth-bodies
- Strait times. Young smokers in SE Asia surrender cigarettes to vapes and heated tobacco products. straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/young-sokokers-in-se-asia-are-giving-sigarettes-for-vapes-andheated tobacco-productions
- South China Morning Post (SCMP). Southeast Asia can take care of vaping when the gene with the Puff is: “I believed it was cool”. SCMP.COM/WEEK-ASIA/HEALTH-ENVIRONMENT/article/3248267/southeast-asia-gets-grips-vaping-gen-z-piles-puff
- Ecinteligence. Bearing an eye fixed on trends and regulatory changes of Vape products in Southeast Asia. ecindetelligence.com/keeping-an-ye-on-andrend-and—regulacyj shifts-for- vape-roducts-in-southeast-sia
