Smoke signals: Dad’s bad habits lights way for Thai teens to vape
Nearly 40% of fathers in Thailand are smokers, a habit significantly impacting their children as the trend of vaping among youth rises, with the average age of vapers decreasing yearly. Survey findings reveal these insights, highlighting concerns over the influence of paternal smoking on the younger generation.
A recent survey, encompassing 1,159 fathers and other male figures involved in child-rearing from birth to six years old, indicated that 39.8% of participants smoke, as noted by Wasin Siwaasarit, an assistant professor at Thammasat University’s Faculty of Economics. Among these, 77.22% primarily smoke cigarettes, 12.36% use vapes, while the remaining individuals indulge in both.
Approximately one-fifth of these men reportedly quit smoking upon learning they were expecting a child, according to Wasin. Despite awareness of the dangers smoking poses to children, a significant 77.87% of fathers continue smoking because they find it challenging to quit.
These fathers also confessed to having minimal understanding of the health risks associated with vaping, particularly the harmful chemicals present in e-liquids, said Pongthep Wongwatcharapaiboon, manager of the Thai Health Promotion Foundation (ThaiHealth).
“Vapes are causing problems in Thai society.”
Dr Pongthep further elaborated that vape juices contain various carcinogenic heavy metals and over 16,000 artificial flavourings, which can cause inflammation in respiratory tissue cells and blood vessels.
The survey underscores the urgent need for increased awareness and education about both smoking and vaping’s health risks, particularly among those in influential roles in children’s lives, reported Bangkok Post.
In related news, the Public Health Ministry plans to rehabilitate 20,000 young e-cigarette users as part of its efforts to curb the spread of e-cigarettes, according to Minister Somsak Thepsutin. vaping a chance: health ministry aims to clear the air for 20,000 youths!
In other news, police officers in Sattahip conducted a raid on an illegal electronic cigarette shop in the Sri Racha district, Chon Buri province, resulting in the arrest of a sales employee and the confiscation of hundreds of vaping products.
