Ecigarettes a health hazard, warns govt

The Health Ministry called on people, especially youths, to avoid smoking ecigarettes, which contain high levels of nicotine that could cause serious effects on users’ health.

The ministry said in a statement on Saturday that ecigarettes smokers could face a high risk of lung disease, heart disease, and damage to brain development among other health issues.

It said although the National Authority for Combating Drugs has prohibited the import, trade, and use of ecigarettes 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.

The ministry also called on relevant authorities to curb the import, trade, and use of ecigarettes, and to raise awareness among people about the effects on health from consuming ecigarettes. — Xinhua