Last year, about 2,000 students from local schools and universities were referred to the Health Sciences Bureau for possessing or using e-cigarettes. This number is more than doubled from more than 900 people in 2023.

Health Minister Wang Yikang released the above data when he responded to a written question from West Coast Ghetto Constituency Councilor Wang Xinyan on Wednesday (February 26). He also revealed that in last year's cases, 13% of them reoffended in the same year.

Wang Yikang said the increase in the number of cases was due to the cooperation between the Health and Science Bureau and the Ministry of Education, which has increased law enforcement efforts in schools in the past three years. In 2022, about 800 students were referred to the Health Science Bureau for possessing or using e-cigarettes.

Wang Yikang also said that the Health Science Bureau and the Ministry of Education are reviewing the punishment measures regarding the possession or use of e-cigarettes.

At the same time, the Health Promotion Bureau will also strengthen publicity to promote the benefits of staying away from e-cigarettes to students and young people, and advocate a nicotine-free lifestyle, while promoting smoking cessation and e-cigarette quits.

Further reading

152 e-cigarette smuggling cases in 2022 were reduced to 67 last year

152 e-cigarette smuggling cases in 2022 were reduced to 67 last year

Telegram groups say that the sale of drug-containing e-cigarettes is cracking down on the anti-drug bureau

Telegram groups say that the sale of drug-containing e-cigarettes is cracking down on the anti-drug bureau

Since March last year, all violators who purchase, use or possess e-cigarettes, including students from schools and universities, will be referred to the Health and Science Bureau for the first time when they are caught, and the fines can be up to 2,000 yuan.