Ban e-cigarettes, Hong Kong medical experts say after ‘shocking’ 55 per cent rise in primary schoolchildren trying vaping
Health groups renew call to outlaw the products after surveys show increase in number of Primary Two to Four pupils trying the devices
Four Hong Kong medical groups have banded together to step up calls for a total ban on e-cigarettes following a 55 per cent rise in the proportion of Primary Two to Four pupils trying the products.
The Council on Smoking and Health, Federation of Medical Societies, Medical Association and Dental Association on Thursday also cautioned that e-cigarettes could help youngsters abuse other drugs.
Their warning comes ahead of debate on proposed regulations in the city’s legislature, which is set to reconvene next month.
Daniel Ho Sai-yin, a member of the Council on Smoking and Health, said local surveys done by the organisation had found the proportion of Primary Two to Four pupils who had tried e-cigarettes increased between the 2016-17 and 2017-18 school years, from 2.9 per cent to 4.5.
The surveys interviewed 2,076 pupils from 16 primary schools in 2016-17, and 4,599 pupils from 26 schools in the following year.