Shenzhen will likely ban the use of e-cigarettes in public venues after a draft regulation on the ban is passed by the city’s legislature, according to the Shenzhen Economic Daily.

The newspaper said in a report yesterday that e-cigarettes could cause smokers to become more addicted to nicotine.

Legislators in the city suggest taking e-cigarettes into consideration when attempting to ban smoking in public venues citywide, the report said.

An electronic cigarette, or e-cigarette, is a handheld electronic device that is used to inhale nicotine. It works by heating a liquid to generate an aerosol, commonly known as a “vapor,” which the user inhales.

Zhuang Runsen, deputy chief of the city’s smoking control association, pointed out that the aerosol released by e-cigarettes often contains poisonous substances and vaping e-cigarettes could be more addictive than smoking cigarettes.

The current ban on smoking in public places does not apply to e-cigarettes as this new type of vaping has not been included in the category of smoking.

Zhuang suggested that relevant government departments strengthen supervision over the sale of e-cigarettes to minors, since they are more likely to begin smoking after using e-cigarettes.

A 2017 report on the world’s tobacco development included in the news article estimated that the e-cigarette industry would reach a market scale of US$48 billion.

Official documents regarding e-cigarettes show that the amount of nicotine contained in each e-cigarette is between 0 and 24 mg. Although the tar contained in normal cigarettes is the main cause of cancer, nicotine also harms human health.

The report addressed that repetitive use of nicotine can lead to heart disease and high blood pressure. Also, inhaling nicotine over a long period of time can cause addiction.

Several medical institutions in Hong Kong announced the establishment of an alliance against e-cigarettes Oct. 5, urging the Hong Kong Government to ban the emerging tobacco products like e-cigarettes.

It is commonly recognized in Hong Kong’s medical community that many people underestimate the side effects of e-cigarettes and falsely believe using e-cigarettes will help them quit smoking.

Editor: Jasmine


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