without proper rules in place, unaware of its side effect
Many were seen vaping electronic cigarettes often openly at homes and offices and even some public places. Most of the e-cigarette users aren’t sure of the legal implications and related effects of the vapes.
Bhutan Narcotics Control Authority (BNCA) continues to control substances which has made the office shoulder more responsibilities and chaotic.
BNCA’s officiating director general (ODG)Ugyen Tshering said that the act is silent on e-cigarettes. He claimed that since the ban of tobacco and tobacco products were lifted in 2021, E-cigarettes and vape were also allowed to be sold.
Bhutan lifted the ban on tobacco and tobacco products from July 2, 2021. Since then, it’s now legal to sell, buy, possess, distribute and transport the tobacco and tobacco products. The ban was lifted in the country to help check the smuggling of tobacco across southern borders. The National Assembly passed the Act on June 23, 2021.
“Tobacco and tobacco products come in different forms varying from brand to brand, we are trying to regulate those products but our country does not have quality and Control assurance as of now.”
“The country doesn’t plan to manufacture it either. We are supposed to control and check the consumption of nicotine and harmful ingredients used in production of tobacco.”
E-cigarettes and vape have been a new trend among youths and BNCA needs some time to carry out assessments to make policy and regulations to benefit the public and future generations.
“E-cigarettes and vape are smoked to substitute a nicotine who are addicted to tobacco contains as to gradually quit smoking however, it has a risk that people might get addicted and also youths who are not into smoking might start vaping, it is concerning issue and we will look into this matter” said Ugyen Tshering.
Palden Dorji, a 22-year-old youth, said, “Yes Vaping is addictive. And as per the research vaping is less harmful than traditional smoking. “
“Yes, vaping definitely helps me to quit smoking. I used to be a chain smoker. I would smoke about 30 pieces a day before but now I have completely stopped smoking cigarettes for 2 months,” he added.
“I started vaping in 2020. Because during my stay in Thailand, the majority of my batch mates who were from the air force used to vape when I smoked cigarettes. “
“With those hard smells felt white uneasy as well but I also did some research and found that vaping is less harmful than smoking and it is also very convenient, the people around you won’t be affected and the smell really won’t bother anyone,” said Palden Dorji.
However, many researchers and doctors have pointed out that vape is harmful and it has more dangerous side effects compared to smoking cigarettes.
Few countries have also banned Vapes and E-cigarettes.
Doctor Gaki Nima, a chest physician at the Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital (JDWNRH) said, “E-cigarettes are a form of electronic nicotine delivery system (ENDS) and can contain other toxic substances apart from nicotine.”
“Smoking cigarettes and vaping on its harmful effects can vary depending on the situation. E-cigarettes are not safe. Apart from the harmful toxic substances, they have been linked to incidences of lung injury, seizures and even explosions,” added the chest physician.
“Among adolescents those who smoke e-cigarettes, may be more likely to smoke cigarettes in future,” said the doctor.
Nicotine can harm brain development in adolescents and they are not recommended for adolescents, young people, pregnant women and non-smokers.
She added, “Having said that e-cigarettes contain less harmful chemicals than cigarettes and may help some people to quit smoking but the data are inconclusive. But we do not know the long-term harm from vaping and the WHO does not recommend E-cigarettes for anyone”.
Both smoking cigarettes and vaping contain harmful substances and adversely affect an individual’s health.
“Normal cigarettes contain thousands of harmful chemicals. Both vape and cigarettes contain nicotine and toxic chemicals. Smoking is associated with lung damage, chronic lung conditions like COPD.ILD and even heart diseases. Smoking can lead to almost all types of cancers including lung, throat, stomach, colon, bladder, cervix and bladder cancers. Vaping has been associated with brain and lung damage, seizures and fires and explosions” said Gaki Nima, the Chest Physician.
Many people are seen smoking in public areas which is not allowed. Ugyen Tshering, officiating Director of BNCA said. “Smoking of tobacco products in any form in public places is not allowed except in smoking rooms and any individuals smoking in public places can be penalized”.
He added, “Tobacco advertisements via any medium which includes display at the point of sale has a likely effect of promoting the use of tobacco products. Hence, all forms of tobacco advertisements, promotion and sponsorship are prohibited by the law”.
BNCA has issued public notifications to many institutions, agencies, restaurants and nightclubs on having smoking rooms and amended the Tobacco Control Regulations to align with the legalization and currently, it’s awaiting the endorsement from the Tobacco Control Board.
Ugyen Tshering, said, “Buying and selling of tobacco and tobacco has made BNCA difficult as a regulatory office to control tobacco. We are trying our best to regulate in a proper manner and ban it if possible”.
Gaki Nima, said, “There are reports outside Bhutan of E cigarettes causing poisoning and death in children and young people from swallowing, breathing and absorbing e-cigarettes liquids through skin and eyes. I have not come across any vaping related lung diseases yet here at our hospital.”
“It is known that more than half of lung cancers are caused by smoking. Smoking is the number
one risk factor for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Smoking indirectly causes a lot of death and the number of years you smoke can affect your cancer and disease risk.
Stopping smoking anytime can always benefit your health. I would recommend abruptly stop smoking and using counselling sessions as well nicotine replacement therapies for those with severe withdrawals.
E-cigarettes and vaping were not allowed in the past to sell as it was considered as an advertisement or glorifying and influencing younger generations to smoke.
Smoking cigarettes and vaping both have social and health causes.
Many were seen vaping electronic cigarettes often openly at homes and offices and even some public places. Most of the e-cigarette users aren’t sure of the legal implications and related effects of the vapes.
Bhutan Narcotics Control Authority (BNCA) continues to control substances which has made the office shoulder more responsibilities and chaotic.
BNCA’s officiating director general (ODG)Ugyen Tshering said that the act is silent on e-cigarettes. He claimed that since the ban of tobacco and tobacco products were lifted in 2021, E-cigarettes and vape were also allowed to be sold.
Bhutan lifted the ban on tobacco and tobacco products from July 2, 2021. Since then, it’s now legal to sell, buy, possess, distribute and transport the tobacco and tobacco products. The ban was lifted in the country to help check the smuggling of tobacco across southern borders. The National Assembly passed the Act on June 23, 2021.
“Tobacco and tobacco products come in different forms varying from brand to brand, we are trying to regulate those products but our country does not have quality and Control assurance as of now.”
“The country doesn’t plan to manufacture it either. We are supposed to control and check the consumption of nicotine and harmful ingredients used in production of tobacco.”
E-cigarettes and vape have been a new trend among youths and BNCA needs some time to carry out assessments to make policy and regulations to benefit the public and future generations.
“E-cigarettes and vape are smoked to substitute a nicotine who are addicted to tobacco contains as to gradually quit smoking however, it has a risk that people might get addicted and also youths who are not into smoking might start vaping, it is concerning issue and we will look into this matter” said Ugyen Tshering.
Palden Dorji, a 22-year-old youth, said, “Yes Vaping is addictive. And as per the research vaping is less harmful than traditional smoking. “
“Yes, vaping definitely helps me to quit smoking. I used to be a chain smoker. I would smoke about 30 pieces a day before but now I have completely stopped smoking cigarettes for 2 months,” he added.
“I started vaping in 2020. Because during my stay in Thailand, the majority of my batch mates who were from the air force used to vape when I smoked cigarettes. “
“With those hard smells felt white uneasy as well but I also did some research and found that vaping is less harmful than smoking and it is also very convenient, the people around you won’t be affected and the smell really won’t bother anyone,” said Palden Dorji.
However, many researchers and doctors have pointed out that vape is harmful and it has more dangerous side effects compared to smoking cigarettes.
Few countries have also banned Vapes and E-cigarettes.
Doctor Gaki Nima, a chest physician at the Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital (JDWNRH) said, “E-cigarettes are a form of electronic nicotine delivery system (ENDS) and can contain other toxic substances apart from nicotine.”
“Smoking cigarettes and vaping on its harmful effects can vary depending on the situation. E-cigarettes are not safe. Apart from the harmful toxic substances, they have been linked to incidences of lung injury, seizures and even explosions,” added the chest physician.
“Among adolescents those who smoke e-cigarettes, may be more likely to smoke cigarettes in future,” said the doctor.
Nicotine can harm brain development in adolescents and they are not recommended for adolescents, young people, pregnant women and non-smokers.
She added, “Having said that e-cigarettes contain less harmful chemicals than cigarettes and may help some people to quit smoking but the data are inconclusive. But we do not know the long-term harm from vaping and the WHO does not recommend E-cigarettes for anyone”.
Both smoking cigarettes and vaping contain harmful substances and adversely affect an individual’s health.
“Normal cigarettes contain thousands of harmful chemicals. Both vape and cigarettes contain nicotine and toxic chemicals. Smoking is associated with lung damage, chronic lung conditions like COPD.ILD and even heart diseases. Smoking can lead to almost all types of cancers including lung, throat, stomach, colon, bladder, cervix and bladder cancers. Vaping has been associated with brain and lung damage, seizures and fires and explosions” said Gaki Nima, the Chest Physician.
Many people are seen smoking in public areas which is not allowed. Ugyen Tshering, officiating Director of BNCA said. “Smoking of tobacco products in any form in public places is not allowed except in smoking rooms and any individuals smoking in public places can be penalized”.
He added, “Tobacco advertisements via any medium which includes display at the point of sale has a likely effect of promoting the use of tobacco products. Hence, all forms of tobacco advertisements, promotion and sponsorship are prohibited by the law”.
BNCA has issued public notifications to many institutions, agencies, restaurants and nightclubs on having smoking rooms and amended the Tobacco Control Regulations to align with the legalization and currently, it’s awaiting the endorsement from the Tobacco Control Board.
Ugyen Tshering, said, “Buying and selling of tobacco and tobacco has made BNCA difficult as a regulatory office to control tobacco. We are trying our best to regulate in a proper manner and ban it if possible”.
Gaki Nima, said, “There are reports outside Bhutan of E cigarettes causing poisoning and death in children and young people from swallowing, breathing and absorbing e-cigarettes liquids through skin and eyes. I have not come across any vaping related lung diseases yet here at our hospital.”
“It is known that more than half of lung cancers are caused by smoking. Smoking is the number
one risk factor for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Smoking indirectly causes a lot of death and the number of years you smoke can affect your cancer and disease risk.
Stopping smoking anytime can always benefit your health. I would recommend abruptly stop smoking and using counselling sessions as well nicotine replacement therapies for those with severe withdrawals.
E-cigarettes and vaping were not allowed in the past to sell as it was considered as an advertisement or glorifying and influencing younger generations to smoke.
Smoking cigarettes and vaping both have social and health causes.
