Youth Alliance Executive Director Samson Mwale says the Zambian Government should ban marketing and use of all e-cigarette as new global research finds e-cigarettes to be harmful and addictive.
Mr Mwale said the Australian National University published a research that found vaping, causing addiction in a new generation of users” and makes young people three times more likely to take up cigarette smoking and Vapes deliver hundreds of chemicals.
He said in some countries it is illegal to import nicotine liquid without a GP prescription as a smoking cessation aid.
Mr Mwale said vaping products are often claiming to be nicotine-free even though they contain the drug that can be easily sourced online and in retail shops.
He said Zambia should ban on these products which are deliberately being marketed towards young people.
“Our concern with vaping is more that it is being used and promoted as a new addiction for people who aren’t currently smoking.
“There are people illegally importing the products,” he said.
Mr Mwale said Zambia Revenue Authority must conduct a Border Force to enforce the laws that currently exist.
