PHNOM PENH,(Xinhua): Cambodia's Ministry of Health (MoH) on Saturday called on people, especially youths, to avoid smoking e-cigarettes, which contain high levels of nicotine that could cause serious effects on users' health.
An e-cigarette or vape is a battery-operated device that heats up a special liquid into an aerosol that users inhale, the MoH said in a statement, adding that e-cigarettes contain large amounts of nicotine, a highly addictive substance.
"E-cigarette smokers could face a high risk of lung disease, lung cancer, heart disease, and damage to brain development," the MoH said.
For pregnant women, e-cigarette vapor affects an unborn baby's development, the MoH added.
The MoH said although the National Authority for Combating Drugs has prohibited the import, trade, and use of e-cigarettes and shisha since 2014, some opportunists still sell these products, with exaggerated contents claiming that they are a tool to quit smoking and safer than cigarettes.
"In fact, e-cigarettes are not a device to quit smoking cigarettes. Instead, they have really caused hazards to users' health, their families, and society," the MoH said.
The MoH also called on relevant authorities at all levels to curb the import, trade, and use of e-cigarettes, and to raise awareness among people about the effects on health from consuming e-cigarettes.
The MoH's warning came after there has been an increase in the use of e-cigarettes in the Southeast Asian country, particularly among youths. - Xinhua
