The design of e-cigarette devices, in addition to the variety of flavours they come in, may appeal to young people. Photo: AP
Source:
https://scmp.com/comment/letters/article/3005311/banning-e-cigarettes-best-way-keep-hong-kongs-youth-getting-hooked Letters
Should Hong Kong ban e-cigarettes?
- Parents are right to be concerned about their children becoming addicted to e-cigarettes and vaping products
- A ban may be the best way to prevent young people getting hooked, but the right of others to buy tobacco products must be respected
The perceived glamour of smoking, combined with the belief that e-cigarettes are less harmful, could be bad news for young people who become addicted. Photo: Winson Wong
I am writing in response to the report, “Ban e-cigarettes, Hong Kong parents say in survey” (April 7).
Although those under 18 are not allowed to buy cigarettes in convenience stores, there are other ways for them to experiment with smoking, including e-cigarettes. E-cigarettes could even be a gateway to smoking for teenagers. Because these new tobacco products are colourless and tasteless, kids are less likely to be found out by their parents if they are vaping rather than smoking traditional cigarettes. I also agree that vaping shouldn’t be treated as a less harmful alternative to traditional smoking. Be it traditional or new tobacco products, they are all harmful to health.
Mavis Lam, Kwai Chung
E-cigarettes might lure both teens and adults
I do agree that the Hong Kong government should completely ban e-cigarettes. This brand new tobacco product may attract many youngsters wishing to try smoking. Because of its varied flavours and attractive packaging, it will be a new fashion to follow for teenagers, who might overlook the health hazards.
E-cigarettes do cause harm to our bodies, as do traditional tobacco products, even though e-cigarettes are often packaged or promoted as smoking cessation aids. However, because they are packaged as less harmful, they may entice both teenagers and adults into taking up smoking. A complete ban is the most effective way to deal with this issue.
Rosita Lee, Kwai Chung
Ban smoking ads that target youths, not the products
Hong Kong parents surveyed, many of them smokers themselves, have called for a ban on e-cigarettes and other new tobacco products. I understand that parents don’t want their children facing health risks from e-cigarettes, so they want these products to be outlawed. There is no doubt that a ban would be the most effective way to stop them vaping. However, is a ban a must?
One of the reasons teenagers vape has to do with the misconceptions from advertising about the happiness/glamour quotient of e-cigarettes. I believe the government should ban the advertisement of tobacco or related products on social media to users under 18 years of age. As most teenagers spend time on social media and they are not mentally mature, they may easily get drawn to attractive ads. Also, the government should set up clear laws to make tobacco companies list out ingredient facts on their product packaging, including heavy metals and nicotine, as a warning to all users.
Lastly, although banning tobacco products is good for the youth, we should not neglect the right of other citizens to buy such products.
Ocean Wong, Po Lam