What is the solution to the problem of young people easily accessing electronic cigarettes online?

The easy purchase and sale of e-cigarettes on social networking platforms is creating many major challenges for public health management and protection.

The easy purchase and sale of e-cigarettes on social networking platforms is creating many major challenges for public health management and protection.

In recent years, electronic cigarettes (vapes) have become a popular trend, especially among young people. However, the purchase and sale of electronic cigarettes on social networking platforms is creating many major challenges for the management and protection of public health.

Social networking sites such as Facebook, Instagram, Zalo and especially closed groups and online forums have become "markets" for trading electronic cigarettes.

Although authorities have made efforts to control and prevent the consumption of these products, the situation of trading electronic cigarettes via social networks remains complicated, causing difficulties in enforcing legal regulations.

Social networks, with their quick connection and product promotion features, have become the ideal trading channel for e-cigarette traders.

Social networking sites such as Facebook, Instagram, Zalo and especially closed groups and online forums have become "markets" for trading electronic cigarettes.

These products are heavily advertised in many different ways, from sharing information about the latest brands and models, to attractive offers or success stories of e-cigarette users.

This has created a favorable environment for the sale of e-cigarettes without facing strict control from authorities.

Consumers, especially young people, can easily access these products without being aware of the health risks or legal issues involved.

Although e-cigarettes are currently banned from import and production in Vietnam from January 1, 2024, authorities still do not have specific regulations to control the sale of e-cigarettes.

These products are still being sold clandestinely through social media channels, mainly personal pages, private groups, and e-commerce platforms.

Although there are strict regulations on tobacco advertising, the application of these regulations to e-cigarettes is still limited. Therefore, the management and handling of violations related to e-cigarettes on social networks faces many difficulties.

Ms. Nguyen Thi An, Director of HealthBridge Organization shared with Dau Tu Newspaper reporter that social networks create a favorable environment for anonymous transactions. Sellers can easily open fake accounts, post e-cigarette advertisements or join closed groups to approach customers without facing control from authorities.

Furthermore, purchasing e-cigarettes through social media is very convenient, allowing consumers to access the product without having to go to official stores. This makes management even more complex and difficult to control.

In addition, controlling and handling violations on social networking platforms is very difficult. Social networking is global, when the servers of sites such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok... are located abroad, applying Vietnamese law to handle violations becomes complicated.

Authorities have difficulty detecting and quickly handling accounts and groups selling e-cigarettes, leading to widespread clandestine trading.

To minimize the risks from buying and selling e-cigarettes via social networks, according to Ms. An, authorities need to have stronger measures in management and supervision.

In addition, it is necessary to step up propaganda and educate consumers about the health risks of using e-cigarettes, and inform people about products of unknown origin that can be harmful. Young people need to be warned about the risks of using e-cigarettes, not only in terms of health but also in terms of law.

Authorities need to coordinate with social media platforms to control e-cigarette trading activities. At the same time, handling violations also needs to be quicker and more decisive. Strong sanctions are needed to handle individuals and organizations that violate regulations related to e-cigarette sales.

As e-cigarettes are often traded across borders, international cooperation to control the market and ban the import of this product into Vietnam is necessary.

Authorities need to step up information exchange with regulatory agencies in other countries to prevent the sale of e-cigarettes from foreign markets.

The sale of e-cigarettes via social media poses a significant challenge to public health management and protection. Addressing this issue requires strong intervention from relevant authorities, cooperation from social media platforms, and increased consumer awareness.

Only with strict and coordinated measures can we control this situation and protect public health, especially young people, from the potential harms of e-cigarettes.

Source: https://baodautu.vn/giai-phap-nao-cho-viec-gioi-tre-de-dang-tiep-can-thuoc-la-dien-tu-tren-mang-d232940.html