Taiwan health agency warns of rising e-cigarette use among youth; Kaohsiung launches anti-smoking campaign

Taiwan's Health Promotion Administration has issued a warning regarding an increasing trend of dual-use of traditional cigarettes and e-cigarettes among adolescents. While smoking rates for traditional cigarettes have been declining in this age group, e-cigarette products, often marketed with novel designs and flavors through social media, are attracting young users.

Authorities are concerned that adolescents may mistakenly perceive e-cigarettes as safer than traditional ones, leading to a rise in combined usage. To address this, the Kaohsiung City Health Bureau is implementing a "Youth Project" as part of the city government's broader summer initiative to protect young people.

The project involves a series of anti-smoking and anti-vaping campaigns. These include integrating anti-smoking knowledge into online educational activities and offering prizes for participation in online quizzes. The bureau aims to increase student engagement and learning outcomes regarding the dangers of these products.

The Health Bureau emphasizes that e-cigarettes and other novel tobacco products contain harmful substances like nicotine. These can negatively impact adolescent brain development, increase the risk of addiction, and cause significant health damage. A promotional short video, "Breathe Deep, Youth Invincible," has been released, using popular dance and music to convey key messages such as "all tobacco products are harmful" and "reject heated tobacco, strictly prohibit e-cigarettes."