-by Jordan Alkins

Health Minister Dr. Frank Anthony has strongly endorsed the government’s decision to restrict the importation of recreational vaping products, describing the move as timely and necessary to protect children from nicotine addiction and other serious health risks.
Speaking exclusively to NCN News, Dr. Anthony pointed to alarming findings from the Ministry of Health’s school screening programme, particularly in coastal regions where vaping among secondary school students remains a growing concern.

The latest regional breakdown shows that 44% of 1,605 students screened in Region Six reported vaping, followed by 35% of 1,300 students in Region Four and 25% of 900 students in Region Three.

The figures were considerably lower in the hinterland, with Region Seven recording 16% and Region Eight just 1%. Dr. Anthony suggested that greater accessibility to vaping products along the coast may be contributing to the disparity.
The regional findings provide further insight into previously reported screening results, which showed that 32% of approximately 6,000 secondary school students had reported vaping.

Dr. Anthony warned that vaping can expose children to highly addictive nicotine and potentially toxic substances, including chemicals linked to cancer.

President Dr. Irfaan Ali recently announced restrictions on the importation of recreational vaping products amid growing concerns from parents, teachers and religious leaders.

Under the proposed measures, imports will be prohibited unless authorised by the Health Minister or the Tobacco Control Board.