According to SEATCA’s Smoke-free Program Manager Dr. Domilyn Villarreiz, this is very timely because emerging tobacco products such as e-cigarettes are starting to become popular especially among the youth. 

A recent report by the US FDA concludes that e-cigarettes are not completely safe because they still emit toxic chemicals and they act as a gateway to traditional cigarettes among the youth, which can lead to more youth smoking. 

In the ASEAN region, Brunei, Cambodia, Singapore and Thailand have already banned the sale of electronic cigarettes. This should encourage other countries to ban the sale and use of imitation and emerging tobacco products and strengthen and/or implement 100% smoke-free laws.