Mothers Against Vaping Lauds New Countries Banning New-Age Gateway Devices

· Vietnam and Maldives ban vapes; Belgium bans disposable electronic cigarettes

· Vapes are becoming more potent – 1 vape has 600 cigarettes worth of nicotine

· WHO strongly supports ban; Experts have also highlighted the dangerous potency of new-age gateway impacting children and the youth

New Delhi, 20 February 2025: Mothers Against Vaping, a united front of concerned mothers combating the escalating vaping crisis among our youth, has lauded the governments of Vietnam, Maldives and Belgium for taking definite steps to ban and restrict new-age gateway devices in their respective countries. Experts, including doctors and child psychologists also have supported these bans and have brought out the dangerous potency of the new-age gateway devices like vapes, e-cigarettes and electronic heat-not-burn devices on the health of children and the youth.

Mothers Against Vaping has also highlighted a University of California San Francisco (UCSF) finding that a decade ago the average vape cartridge had the nicotine content of about a pack of cigarettes or 20 cigarettes. However, today’s popular vapes can easily contain the nicotine content of three cartons or 600 cigarettes. According to Pamela Ling, Director of the UCSF Center for Tobacco Control Research and Education, to make it easier to inhale such higher concentrations of nicotine, vape manufacturer Juul Labs introduced nicotine salts by adding acids to their vapes. This salts reduces adverse reactions like throat burning and coughing. This technology is now used in the most popular disposable vapes, making them stronger than ever.

Dr. Rajesh Gupta, Additional Director Pulmonology & Critical Care – Fortis Healthcare Noida, “Vapes and different kinds of e-cigarettes are highly efficient at delivering nicotine into the body of the inhaler. When an e-cigarette is used, the nicotine vapor is rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream. This triggers the release of dopamine, the brain’s pleasure chemical, which reinforces and sustains the addiction. This poses an even greater danger to children and adolescents, as their brains are still developing. More often than not, this early addiction leads children to transition to cigarettes and other even more dangerous habits.”

Mothers Against Vaping has been raising awareness about this concerning pattern of addiction among children and the youth who uses new-age gateway devices like vapes and e-cigarettes. They emphasize that parents, teachers and other key stakeholders must realize the early signs of addiction and take steps to prevent children from indulging in this harmful habit.

Dr Bhavna Barmi, clinical psychologist and founder Happiness Studio quote – “It is not enough to impose a ban; there must also be a focus on early intervention so that children and the youth can stay away from these new-age gateway devices, especially as vapes and e-cigarettes find their way into the market through illegal means. We need to understand that children’s developing mental states make them particularly vulnerable to experimenting with addictive behaviours. Manufacturers exploit this vulnerability through appealing advertising and colourful vaping flavours. In their desire to fit in, children often follow peer behaviours neglecting their own well-being and leading them to indulge in vaping and other harmful activities.”

Though banning cannot completely remove the availability of e-cigarettes for children and the youth, it still acts as a deterrent and strong enforcement can make a difference. Vietnam and Maldives join about 33 countries that have banned vape consumption, including India, New Zealand, North Korea and Brazil. While Belgium joins about 87 countries who regulates electronic nicotine delivery systems.

Belgium has become the first country in the European Union to ban the sale of disposable vapes, aiming to prevent nicotine addiction among young people as well as protect the environment. Starting January 1, 2025, the sale of disposable e-cigarettes has been prohibited on both health and environmental grounds. The government has stated that disposable e-cigarettes are a new product specifically designed to attract new consumers.

In the Maldives, the sales, free distribution, and use of e-cigarettes and vaping devices had become illegal from Dec 15, 2024. It is expected that the ban will benefit the nation in the long run, especially its health systems, and reduce spending on public health.

Vietnam has become the sixth ASEAN country to ban e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products, starting in 2025. This step reinforces its commitment to public health, particularly protecting the youth, an at-risk demographic. The Ministry of Health in Vietnam has consistently raised concerns about the dangers of vaping. Contrary to the common belief that e-cigarettes are safer than traditional tobacco, research indicates that they carry significant health risks, including cardiovascular, respiratory, and cancer-related issues.

This decision has been widely praised by the World Health Organization (WHO). WHO also commended Vietnam’s proactive approach and recommended further measures, such as banning online advertising of e-cigarettes and implementing strong deterrent penalties. The WHO emphasized the need for ongoing awareness campaigns to educate the public and youth on the dangers of new-generation tobacco products.

Aside, the WHO has been emphasizing the urgent need for action to control e-cigarettes in order to protect children, non-smokers, and minimize health risks to the population. It has pointed out that e-cigarettes are being marketed to children through social media and influencers, with at least 16,000 different flavors. Some of these products even feature cartoon characters and sleek designs, making them particularly appealing to younger audiences. The WHO has raised concerns about the alarming rise in e-cigarette use among children and young people, with usage rates surpassing those of adults in many countries.

The WHO has further stated that while the long-term health effects of these new-age gateway devices are not fully understood, it is clear that they produce toxic substances, some of which are known to cause cancer, while others increase the risk of heart and lung disorders. Additionally, the use of e-cigarettes can adversely affect brain development in young people, leading to learning disorders and other cognitive issues.