E-cigarette use increases among Taiwan’s youth

​TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Health Promotion Administration said Tuesday that e-cigarette use among Taiwanese teenagers has increased.

According to a December press release from the administration, e-cigarette use among Taiwanese junior high school students rose from 1.9% in 2018 to 3.2% in 2023, while the rate among senior high school students increased from 3.4% to 6.3% during the same period. The administration estimates around 50,000 Taiwanese teenagers are using e-cigarettes.

Under the revised Tobacco Hazards Prevention Act, which took effect on March 22, Taiwan implemented a nationwide ban on the possession, use, and sale of e-cigarettes. However, the administration found that some online sellers blend e-cigarette brand names with those of chocolate or clothing brands to avoid detection.

Online shopping platforms have also seen the emergence of "electronic candy." These sellers utilize images of candy or snack packaging to disguise the sale of e-cigarettes.

The administration urged parents to be alert for signs of e-cigarette use among their children, such as possessing unfamiliar electronic products, sudden changes in behavior and mood, or unfamiliar fruity scents in their rooms or clothing.

Chiang Chien-hsieh (江建勰), a family doctor at National Taiwan University Hospital, said that nicotine in e-cigarette liquid can potentially impact the brain, causing irritability and learning difficulties.

According to the John Tung Foundation, operators have also launched "smart vapes" aimed at young individuals. These devices feature touchscreens, Bluetooth connectivity, and integrated electronic games.