Shocking survey reveals kids as young as 6 vaping in Thailand
Nationwide survey highlights the rise of vaping among Thai youth, driven by peer pressure and social media
A nationwide survey conducted by the Department of Health Service Support (DHSS) has exposed disturbing trends in e-cigarette use among children and young adults in Thailand, with the youngest user reported at just six years old.
The findings are a stark reminder of the growing vaping epidemic in the country.
The survey, which was carried out earlier this year by DHSS’s Health Education Division, involved 40,344 Thai youth and aimed to gather data on e-cigarette usage, often referred to as pods. DHSS Director-General Panuwat Panket revealed yesterday, September 3, that the results show alarming figures regarding the rise of vaping among Thailand’s youth.
The data reveal that the largest group of e-cigarette users is aged 19 to 25 years old, accounting for 37.62% of the total. Following them are the 16 to 18-year-olds at 29.26%, and the 13 to 15-year-olds at 22.39%. Disturbingly, the survey found that the average age of new users is just 13, with a shocking record of a six year old child using e-cigarettes.
The survey identified peer pressure as a primary factor contributing to this troubling trend, with 45.56% of respondents stating that they tried e-cigarettes due to influence from friends. Social media platforms also play a significant role in the spread of vaping, with Facebook being the leading platform for e-cigarette advertisements at 27.88%, followed closely by TikTok at 27.6%.
In addition to peer and social media influences, the survey highlighted a concerning lack of awareness among youth about the dangers of vaping. Despite the growing concerns, many of the respondents appear unaware of the serious health risks associated with e-cigarettes, further compounding the issue, reported Bangkok Post.
The findings have raised alarm bells among health officials, who are calling for more awareness campaigns and stricter regulations to curb the rising popularity of vaping among Thai youth. With the increasing ease of access to e-cigarettes, especially through social media and peer influence, the need for preventive measures has never been more urgent.
As Thailand grapples with this new challenge, the DHSS is urging the public and authorities to take swift action to protect the health and well-being of the country’s youth.
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