E-Cigarettes Becoming Popular on Linyi Campuses; Many Students Already Have a "Smoking History"

Recently, Ms. Li, a resident of Linyi, discovered that her son, who is in the first year of junior high, has been coming home from school with a stick-like object in his mouth, taking deep puffs and exhaling smoke. Upon inquiry, Ms. Li learned that this is a "fruit-flavored e-cigarette" that has become popular around the school just a week ago. "This is just misguiding children into learning to smoke!" Ms. Li expressed her concerns. On the 22nd, the reporter conducted an interview and investigation on this matter.

Reporter Investigation

Most interviewed middle school students have bought or "smoked" e-cigarettes

The variety sold by merchants is diverse, all are "three no" products

On the morning of the 22nd, the reporter visited Linyi No. 6 Middle School and Victory Primary School at the intersection of Hongqi Road and Xinhua Road in the city. In a stationery store near the school gate, traces of fruit-flavored e-cigarettes were found. "We have been out of stock for three days; too many people are buying them," a stationery store owner told the reporter. This type of fruit-flavored e-cigarette started selling in stores around the school a week ago. Initially, people were hesitant to buy too many, but unexpectedly, sales have been very good, and they are now sold out.

After some searching, the reporter bought a fruit-flavored e-cigarette at another store. "If it weren't for the packaging being damaged after falling on the ground, there wouldn't be any left at all," the store owner explained. Many people have come looking for them in the past two days, but there is no stock left. "I estimate we could sell about two hundred units if we had them." Eventually, the store owner sold it to the reporter for 7 yuan.

The reporter randomly interviewed several middle school students, most of whom stated that they had either bought or "smoked" e-cigarettes from other classmates. "They are all various fruit flavors, but most are disposable, and it's said that they can't be used after 500 puffs." When the reporter asked if teachers had stopped them from buying these e-cigarettes, they laughed and said that since this type of e-cigarette has just become popular on campus, the teachers are still unaware.

In addition to these disposable fruit-flavored e-cigarettes, the reporter also found rechargeable e-cigarettes with replaceable filters in several stores, priced at 30 yuan, which is double the price of disposable e-cigarettes. "It's still more cost-effective to buy this; it can be recharged and lasts longer, many students buy this," a store owner recommended to the reporter.

The reporter carefully observed the two types of e-cigarettes purchased. The disposable fruit-flavored e-cigarette didn't even have a product name, while the independently packaged permanent e-cigarette, although looking "high-end," is also a genuine "three no" product. "This is not real tobacco; it contains no nicotine and is harmless," the owner told the reporter, assuring that children can use it safely.

The reporter tried both types of e-cigarettes and found that with a light puff, one could exhale vapor, giving a real smoking sensation accompanied by a strong fruit flavor.

The reporter searched multiple shopping websites and found that e-cigarettes are selling exceptionally well online. Due to minors lacking self-discipline and having a strong curiosity and imitation psychology towards novel things, these e-cigarettes may likely lead some middle and primary school students to develop bad smoking habits.

Legal Opinion

Selling tobacco-like products to minors is suspected of being illegal

Is the production and sale of these "e-cigarettes" illegal? Relevant provisions of the Tobacco Monopoly Law state that tobacco monopoly products only include cigarettes, tobacco leaves, and filter sticks, and do not include "e-cigarettes." The reporter consulted legal advisor Peng Hai from Yimeng Evening News on this matter.

"First, it must be confirmed whether these stores are legally operating with complete documentation. If the e-cigarette-related products are indeed 'three no' products, then selling them is suspected of being illegal," Lawyer Peng told the reporter. In 2006, China signed and joined the "Framework Convention on Tobacco Control" approved by the World Health Organization, which clearly states, "Prohibit the production and sale of tobacco products in shapes that appeal to minors, such as candies, snacks, toys, or any other physical objects." Therefore, producing and selling tobacco-like toys to minors is suspected of being illegal.

"Schools and parents should pay attention and actively guide children positively to stay away from e-cigarettes. Merchants selling these products should strengthen self-discipline and stop selling such products. Relevant departments should also strengthen supervision to provide children with a clean learning and living space," Lawyer Peng stated.

Related News

Are e-cigarettes harmful?

The World Health Organization publicly stated in September 2008 that it has not yet obtained scientific evidence proving that e-cigarettes are safe and effective smoking cessation tools.

Zhao Baifan, director of the Tobacco Control Office of the Yunnan Provincial Health Education Institute, stated that currently, it is impossible to determine the chemical composition content of e-cigarettes produced by different manufacturers. If the concentration is too high, it can have serious adverse effects on the human body.

Let's take a look at the attitudes of various countries towards e-cigarettes.

● Countries with a complete ban:

Currently, e-cigarettes have been banned in Canada, Norway, Switzerland, Turkey, the United States, Australia, Brazil, Argentina, and other countries. Health departments in these countries believe that e-cigarettes are not as healthy and harmless as manufacturers claim; they contain a certain amount of carcinogens and nicotine and should be prohibited from sale and consumption. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns: Among young people, including those who have never smoked, e-cigarettes should be accurately positioned and sales to minors should be prohibited.

● Countries with relative bans:

The European Commission proposed in the revision of the EU Tobacco Products Directive that e-cigarettes should be classified as drugs, similar to nicotine gum and patches that help smokers quit. It proposed to impose restrictions on the nicotine content of e-cigarettes approved as medicinal products. Germany's Hanover has enacted regulations prohibiting the "vaping" of e-cigarettes in public offices and cars, while Italy and France prohibit the sale of e-cigarettes to minors. (Reporter Fan Caixia)