Read articles from Asia

June 07, 2024 by indiatimes.com

Hong Kong recently announced a complete ban on e-cigarettes due to concerns about their impact on the health of young people. This decision was made following a consensus on the matter, with the ban coming two years after the city prohibited the import, manufacture, and sale of such products. "We will fully ban all alternative smoking products," Secretary for Health Lo Chung-mau said at a news conference, using the government term for products such as e-cigarettes.

June 06, 2024 by hongkongfp.com

Hong Kong plans a blanket ban on e-cigarettes due to health concerns among youth, two years after banning their import and sale. The Secretary for Health announced the ban, extending to possession for personal use with strict penalties. The proposal also includes restrictions on smoking in public spaces and sharing cigarettes with minors. Authorities aim to introduce the ban and other measures to the legislature this year, following global trends in e-cigarette regulation. The ultimate goal is to reduce smoking rates to 7.8% by 2024.

June 05, 2024 by tempo.co

Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin encourages young Indonesians to adopt a tobacco-free lifestyle for better health. He stresses the importance of lifestyle changes to support the no-smoking policy, comparing it to embracing activities like jogging or cycling. Sadikin highlights the impact of promoting a tobacco-free culture, citing the success of a similar approach with coffee consumption to reduce diabetes. He advocates for creative strategies to make smoking uncool and prevent a new generation of smokers. Sadikin believes in education and lifestyle changes over bans as effective measures.

June 05, 2024 by who.int

Tobacco industry targets youth with harmful products and marketing tactics, leading to premature deaths. WHO highlights industry's strategies on World No Tobacco Day to attract new users, with 37 million youth worldwide already addicted. India's youth tobacco survey reveals alarming statistics. The industry promotes addictive products, posing severe health risks. WHO urges protective policies to combat industry interference and protect children. Governments, organizations, and individuals must unite to eliminate tobacco's dangers and addiction threats. India has banned e-cigarettes, taking steps to reduce tobacco harm. Supporting WHO's campaign can help raise awareness and shield the youth from tobacco industry deceit.

June 05, 2024 by vnexpress.net

The Ministry of Industry and Trade in Vietnam supports a proposed ban on e-cigarettes due to negative health impacts reported by the Ministry of Health. Trader minister Nguyen Hong Dien halted the review of a bill on e-cigarette regulation, and stated support for banning them. No licenses have been issued for e-cigarette trading, and violators are being investigated and punished. E-cigarettes, containing harmful substances, have seen an increase in usage among Vietnamese youth. In 2023, 1,200 people were hospitalized due to e-cigarette usage.

June 05, 2024 by vnexpress.net

The Ministry of Industry and Trade in Vietnam supports a proposed ban on e-cigarettes due to negative health impacts reported by the Ministry of Health. Trader minister Nguyen Hong Dien halted the review of a bill on e-cigarette regulation, and stated support for banning them. No licenses have been issued for e-cigarette trading, and violators are being investigated and punished. E-cigarettes, containing harmful substances, have seen an increase in usage among Vietnamese youth. In 2023, 1,200 people were hospitalized due to e-cigarette usage.

June 03, 2024 by jakartaglobe.id

The prevalence of smoking among 10-18-year-olds in Indonesia has decreased to 7.4 percent in 2023, according to the Indonesian Health Survey (SKI) 2023, down from 9.1 percent recorded in the 2018 Basic Health Research (Riskesdas). During a World No Tobacco Day media briefing in Jakarta on Wednesday, Eva Susanti, Director of Non-Communicable Disease Prevention and Control at the Health Ministry, said the figure is still higher than the 7.2 percent prevalence in 2013 and the 5.4 percent target set in the 2015-2019 National Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJMN).

June 03, 2024 by tobaccoreporter.com

Bhutan's tobacco ban, implemented in 2004, aimed to create a tobacco-free society but faced challenges. Despite reductions in public smoking, enforcement issues led to a flourishing black market. In 2021, the ban was lifted due to smuggling concerns during the pandemic. Lack of support for quitting led to the ban's failure, highlighting the need for cessation services and alternatives. Public health and psychiatry professionals in Bhutan face barriers in providing cessation support. The country now grapples with rising tobacco use, signaling the importance of accessible cessation products and services to improve public health. Western influences on Bhutan's policies should give way to locally tailored solutions for sustained health and happiness.

May 29, 2024 by filtermag.org

Japan has achieved a 52% decrease in cigarette sales, largely due to the popularity of heated tobacco products (HTP). The success story is outlined in a Global State of Tobacco Harm Reduction (GSTHR) briefing. Factors contributing to this decline, including regulatory measures and health concerns, are discussed. Despite initial dual use, many are transitioning to HTP for reduced harm. The unique Japanese trend emphasizes switching from cigarettes to safer alternatives. Notable growth in HTP sales has outpaced cigarettes, supported by a welcoming retail environment and minimal government intervention. Japan's success highlights consumer-driven public health improvements and the cultural acceptance of harm reduction methods.

May 28, 2024 by nypost.com

A study reveals a flood of illegal flavored e-vapes from China in NYC after their ban in 2020 to curb youth addiction. The survey by Atria identified Air Bar Disposable as a popular brand. Despite some enforcement efforts, the illicit market undermines legal vendors like Altria. Experts urge stricter enforcement statewide. Officials criticize lax regulation and hope for stronger enforcement against illegal vapes, citing health risks for young people. FDA warned Chinese firms for unauthorized products. City Hall and Gov. Hochul are investigating to address the issue. Youth e-cig use in New York decreased, but the battle against illegal vapes continues, aiming to protect public health, particularly children.