E-cigarette manufacturers target students with new ‘toy pod’ trend

[webfact]

 

The rise of a new breed of e-cigarettes, dubbed “toy pods” has sparked growing concern among academics.

 

This new variant, designed to resemble popular cartoon characters or toy miniatures, is targeted explicitly at school and university students.

 

Srirach Lapyai, a project manager at the Tobacco Control Research and Knowledge Management Centre (TRC), shed light on this alarming trend. According to Srirach, e-cigarette manufacturers have adapted their products to mimic familiar toys, food items, and stationery, making them more appealing to young users.

These toy pods are the fifth generation of e-cigarettes and contain up to 5% synthetic nicotine, capable of yielding up to 15,000 puffs. There are also collections available, featuring up to 12 different toy pods, each distinguished by unique colours denoting various flavours and scents.

Srirach revealed the troubling extent of the trend.

 

“It is startling to discover that these toy pod e-cigarettes have infiltrated even primary schools. We recently identified several first graders in possession of them.”

 

She further explained that the design of the toy pods’ mouthpiece replicates a cute figurine, making it difficult to identify them as e-cigarettes at a glance.

 

The director of the TRC, Vijj Kasemsup, condemned the marketing tactics used by these businesses, accusing them of exploiting social media platforms to appeal to younger audiences. A recent report found that 309 online vendors were illegally selling e-cigarettes via various social media channels, including X, Facebook, and Instagram, in just the first two months of the year.

 

Dr Vijj expressed grave concerns over the potential health risks posed by nicotine in e-cigarettes, highlighting the possible adverse effects on children’s hearts, brains, concentration, and respiratory systems, as well as the risk of seizures and heart failure. He emphasised the necessity for continued government regulation banning the sale and importation of e-cigarettes.

 

A proactive approach is needed to enforce these regulations, with 70 e-cigarette shops identified within 500 metres of schools and universities in Bangkok alone, reported Bangkok Post.

 

Legal action against these establishments has been proposed as a means of enhancing safety measures.

 

by Puntid Tantivangphaisal

Photo courtesy of Bangkok Post

 

Source: The Thaiger 2024-03-23

 

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[Geoffggi]

They need to find the manufacturer and not only shut them down but make a real example of this

[Tropicalevo]

19 minutes ago, Geoffggi said:

They need to find the manufacturer and not only shut them down but make a real example of this

They are probably made in China and just distributed here.

Instead of threatening to put warning labels on alcohol, they should go after vaping.

It can cause just as much damage to the lungs as smoking can.

Mind you, tricky when some MP's are told to vape outside and not inside the government house.

[foreverlomsak]

23 minutes ago, Tropicalevo said:

Mind you, tricky when some MP's are told to vape outside and not inside the government house.

What do you expect, in LOS, its do as I tell you not as I do

[JoePai]

70 e-cigarette shops identified within 500 metres of schools and universities in Bangkok alone

 

And Plod, can we ask what they are doing - apart from raking in millions from gambling that is ?

[Globalres]

E-cigs are much less damaging than “normal” cigarettes.  No burning going on, less chemicals etc.  NHS in the UK giving away for free to ADULTS wishing to stop smoking. Can’t believe that e-cigs are illegal when “normal” cigarettes are ok.  
HOWEVER, to market for children and teens is DISGUSTING.  
 

[n00dle]

1 hour ago, Tropicalevo said:

It can cause just as much damage to the lungs as smoking can.

 

got studies to support that? 

Agreed it is harmful, but just as dangerous?   

[Tropicalevo]

43 minutes ago, n00dle said:

 

got studies to support that? 

Agreed it is harmful, but just as dangerous?   

Yes - there are studies. Lots if you try Google or DuckDuckGo

https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/what-does-vaping-do-to-your-lungs

 

I did not say 'just as dangerous'

Just that it can cause as much damage....

[hotchilli]

2 hours ago, JoePai said:

70 e-cigarette shops identified within 500 metres of schools and universities in Bangkok alone

 

And Plod, can we ask what they are doing - apart from raking in millions from gambling that is ?

Collecting the rent... 

[Globalres]

Many so called tests that have been done (mainly by cigarette manufacturers themselves) they have used a device attached to the e-cig (forcing mice to inhale) which uses much more heat than is generated by a normal e-cig, in fact so much heat that a user of such e-cig would not inhale at all, due to the distorted taste. Furthermore, the mice were forced to inhale continuously for 24 hours, no vaper does that.  The excessive heat let loose a lot of chemicals that normally would not appear.  That is one of the reasons why normal cigarettes are more dangerous, due to the burning of tobacco.

The  cigarette industry is not happy losing clients, hence distorted tests.  
British NHS has looked at independent tests, apparently one big research Center in Greece as well as many European research results.  Apparently it was enough to satisfy research docs in the UK, so the result was the handing out of e-cigs to people wanting to quit smoking.  

[dinsdale]

Direct from China. Vaping is everywhere here. If they don't want children to vape (and they shouldn't be) why allow this in? Allow me to answer my own question. Corruption. Having said this it looks like just the thing a 'grown up' Thai women will love to use. Just look at the hair pins and slippers they use.

 

 

Edited March 23 by dinsdale

[cowellandrew]

Srirach Lapyai, a project manager at the Tobacco Control Research and Knowledge Management Centre (TRC), shed light on this alarming trend

ah does that mean losing revenue?

[it is what it is]

 

the government needs to take action, but will it?

 

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/disposable-vapes-banned-to-protect-childrens-health

[kingstonkid]

9 hours ago, Globalres said:

E-cigs are much less damaging than “normal” cigarettes.  No burning going on, less chemicals etc.  NHS in the UK giving away for free to ADULTS wishing to stop smoking. Can’t believe that e-cigs are illegal when “normal” cigarettes are ok.  
HOWEVER, to market for children and teens is DISGUSTING.  
 

Has anyone noticed the vapes are now linked CDs and movies used to be on Suk?  They are showing pictures, but one of the salespeople are holding stock.

 

The problem is that yes they know who is selling them but the brown envelope is big. 

 

The rules for vapes should be the same as the rules for alcohol, cigarettes, and Marijuana.   No sale of any kind within 1000 meters of schools and no sales to anyone under the age of 18.  

 

Pemalty is simple they close up the store permanently.