The alarm about e-cigarettes in schools continues.

The school was full of cigarette smoke.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Thao, whose child is in 7th grade at a school in the city center of Vinh, was surprised to learn that two students in her class had been caught using e-cigarettes. Notably, this is a selective class at the school, and both students who smoked e-cigarettes are female.

As the homeroom teacher, at the class's parent-teacher meeting, he shared that he was "shocked" to discover that a student in his class was using e-cigarettes and even inviting other students to join in.

Meanwhile, Mr. Tran Van The (from Vinh Tan ward, Vinh city) was also surprised to receive a call from his homeroom teacher informing him that his child had brought e-cigarettes to class to smoke with a group of friends.

Previously, he said he had suspicions when he noticed his 9th-grade son exhibiting unusual behavior, such as frequently spending long periods in the bathroom and having strange smells like orange, mint, or lemon. However, due to his own negligence, he didn't investigate further. Later, when questioned, his son said that he had initially tried it after seeing his friends smoke at school and being tempted a few times, and then became addicted without realizing it. Because they lacked money, this group of friends would pool their money together, each taking turns keeping a day's worth of cigarettes to make it harder for their parents to find out.

Student usage statuselectronic cigarettesThe number is increasing, with a trend towards younger ages, and a significant number of cases involve female students.

Recently, an 11th-grade student in Vinh City was found unconscious on the side of the road late at night, intoxicated by e-cigarettes. When discovered, the student was in a coma and unresponsive. They couldn't even remember their parents' names or address.

It was learned that this student had been using e-cigarettes for quite some time and was having a hard time quitting because he may have become addicted to some of the addictive substances in e-cigarettes.

At the recent provincial-level competition for excellent homeroom teachers, Mr. Dang Khac Dam, a teacher from Dien Chau 2 High School, chose the solution of raising awareness among students and parents about the harmful effects of e-cigarettes as the content of his presentation on measures to improve the quality of homeroom teaching. This measure was developed based on his experience as a homeroom teacher for class 10 A5 from the 2022-2023 school year to the present, during which he observed that at least 3-6 students in the class used e-cigarettes.

"

I've been teaching for almost 25 years and I've found that, compared to the past, the current school environment is quite complex.

In our class, the 44 students come from 44 different backgrounds, and for various reasons, some have turned to e-cigarettes, which has significantly impacted their health and academic performance at school.

Many students in class frequently experience fatigue, drowsiness, and boredom. Among the students who use tobacco, some do so out of curiosity or are influenced by friends. However, others are affected by their family environment.

Teacher Dang Khac Dam - Dien Chau 2 High School

To support his students, teacher Dang Khac Dam spent considerable time researching the characteristics of e-cigarettes, their harmful effects, and ways to prevent their use, as well as seeking opportunities to talk with students and parents. Through this process, teacher Dang Khac Dam acknowledged that "preventing e-cigarette use among students" faces many difficulties due to factors such as "abundant supply and easy access for students to purchase e-cigarettes through various means." Meanwhile, enforcing penalties remains challenging without the involvement of relevant authorities in inspecting and prosecuting those involved in the sale of these products.

Many dangers lurk.

Regarding e-cigarettes, Dr. Nguyen Duc Tai, Deputy Head of the Department of Pediatric and Geriatric Psychiatry at Nghe An Psychiatric Hospital, expressed concern about the increasing trend of using these products among younger people, shifting from adults to students. A second trend is the shift from traditional cigarettes to e-cigarettes. Meanwhile, the dangers posed by e-cigarettes are very serious.

"

E-cigarettes, by their very nature, also contain nicotine. Therefore, e-cigarette users are at risk of respiratory illnesses, pneumonia, and difficulty breathing. In addition, e-cigarettes contain many flavorings and essential oils that can cause mental disorders. Users of e-cigarettes may experience emotional symptoms such as irritability and difficulty concentrating. The substances in e-cigarettes can also cause delusions and hallucinations in users.

Dr. Nguyen Duc Tai - Nghe An Psychiatric Hospital

In reality, due to increasing demand, the trade of e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products, and new addictive substances in Nghe An province in general and Vinh city in particular has become increasingly complex.

Statistics show that from 2024 to the present, the Nghe An Provincial Police have detected and handled more than 20-30 cases and individuals involved in the buying and selling of drugs disguised as food and beverages, e-cigarettes, and other violations related to nitrous oxide (laughing gas); seizing more than 15,000 e-cigarettes, 200 grams of tobacco, and 180 nitrous oxide cylinders.₂Of these, 19 cases involving 27 individuals were penalized for administrative violations, and one case involving 3 individuals was prosecuted for the illegal buying and selling of narcotics disguised as e-cigarettes.

Captain Tran Huu Dac from the Drug Crime Investigation Department of the Provincial Police added: Currently, the buying and selling of e-cigarettes on social media is happening openly. Through direct channels, students can become retailers selling to other students in their schools; they can also buy through convenience stores around the school. Through indirect channels, they can buy and sell through social media groups or on e-commerce platforms. All they need is an account to contact sellers and have the products shipped directly. Therefore, managing the buying and selling of e-cigarettes is very difficult.

In relation to this issue, recently, at the forum "What I Want to Say" with the theme "Say No to Tobacco, E-cigarettes, and New Addictive Substances" organized by the Department of Education and Training in coordination with Tien Phong Newspaper and the Provincial Youth Union, many worrying figures were also presented.

In fact, over the years, the Ministry of Education and Training has directed and promoted the dissemination of information and education on the harmful effects of tobacco among students and the establishment of "Tobacco-Free Schools." In particular, the Ministry of Education and Training has proposed regulations prohibiting smoking among students. However, strictly prohibiting the use of tobacco and addictive substances in schools and among students still faces many difficulties…

In the coming period, the Ministry will continue to strengthen its direction, inspection, and supervision of the strict implementation of the Law on Prevention and Control of Tobacco Harm in educational institutions and the implementation of the National Assembly's Resolution on prohibiting the sale and use of e-cigarettes; promote education and communication on the prevention and control of tobacco and e-cigarette harm and build "Tobacco-Free Schools".