Over 1,200 Hospitalizations Linked to E-Cigarette Use in Vietnam in 2023: Report

A comprehensive report from nearly 700 healthcare facilities, including hospitals under the Ministry of Health and local health authorities, showed that there were 1,224 hospitalizations due to the use of electronic cigarettes in Vietnam in 2023, said an official.

Associate Professor Dr. Luong Ngoc Khue, Head of the Health Ministry's Department of Medical Examination and Treatment and Director of the Vietnam Tobacco Control Fund, announced this figure at a press conference on tobacco harm prevention in Hanoi on May 3.

Among these cases, the highest number of hospitalizations due to electronic cigarette use were in individuals aged 65 and above, with 580 admissions, followed by the age group of 45-64 with 377 admissions, 25-44 with 138 admissions, 19-24 with 58 admissions, 16-18 with 44 admissions, and under 16 with 27 admissions.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there is no evidence that electronic cigarettes help quit smoking conventional cigarettes. On the contrary, evidence shows that users of electronic cigarettes are at increased risk of using multiple types of tobacco simultaneously, said Mr.Khue.

Citing data from the WHO and the Campaign for U.S-based Tobacco-Free Kids, Mr. Khue noted that the number of countries and territories implementing policies to ban electronic cigarettes is increasing.

He emphasized that a complete ban on new-generation cigarettes is the stance of the Ministry of Health. The ministry is looking into proposing such a ban to the government.

(Suc Khoe Doi Song, VnExpress English, quochoitv.vn, Vietnam Plus, Tuoi Tre, Dau Tu)