E-Cigarettes in the Young Generation and Future Health Risks in Indonesia

Abstract

The proliferation of e-cigarette use has emerged as a pressing global concern, as articulated in the research conducted by Toluwalashe et al. Their study elucidates the intricate relationship between e-cigarette use and the risk of seizures, a finding with profound ramifications for public health. In the context of developing countries, these findings assume particular significance in light of the rapid growth of the e-cigarette market and its increasing prevalence among the younger demographic.

Dear Editor,

The proliferation of e-cigarette use has emerged as a pressing global concern, as articulated in the research conducted by Toluwalashe et al. ¹ Their study elucidates the intricate relationship between e-cigarette use and the risk of seizures, a finding with profound ramifications for public health. In the context of developing countries, these findings assume particular significance in light of the rapid growth of the e-cigarette market and its increasing prevalence among the younger demographic.^2,3

The global prevalence of e-cigarette use has reached an alarming figure of 81 million individuals. ³ The World Health Organization (WHO) has expressed concerns regarding the potential health risks associated with e-cigarettes, including elevated nicotine and toxin levels compared to conventional tobacco smoke. ⁴ In addition to the challenges posed by the Indonesian health system, which involves the circulation of non-standardized clinical management protocols and inadequate side effect reporting systems, the government has not allocated sufficient resources to regulate the marketing of e-cigarette products. ² In Indonesia, the surveillance system for side effects of e-cigarettes and the variety of products on the market are still limited. Despite the imposition of a 57% tax on e-cigarettes by the government, the marketing and promotion of e-cigarettes through social media platforms remains challenging to regulate. This predicament is further exacerbated by the fact that e-cigarette marketing is targeted toward the younger demographic. A substantial proportion of the 170 million active social media users in Indonesia are young, with 43% of them being under the age of 24. ⁵

The present conditions necessitate the implementation of restrictions on the marketing and sale of e-cigarettes, particularly to the younger generation, as this demographic constitutes the majority of users. ² A multifaceted approach is necessary to curtail e-cigarette consumption. First, decision makers must expedite the implementation of e-cigarette risk awareness campaigns, aligning these efforts with the findings of research in this domain. These efforts can be integrated with broader anti-tobacco initiatives.^1,3 Second, a collaborative effort among various stakeholders, including regulators, health practitioners, researchers, and others, is essential to develop effective strategies and evidence-based policies aimed at safeguarding the health of the Indonesian public against the neurological risks associated with e-cigarette use. ³ Third, it is incumbent upon the government to impose limitations on digital marketing, export-import activities, and promotional strategies for e-cigarettes, with the objective of safeguarding the future health of the Indonesian youth. ² By doing so, policy capacity not only bridges the campaign against e-cigarette hazardous substances, but also intervenes in the distribution patterns and cycles of e-cigarette products for future health and safety.