-by Nakasia Logan
Days after President Ali announced restrictions on the importation of vapes and vaping products, parents and students are welcoming the move, saying it could help protect children from the potential dangers.
The restrictions prohibit the importation of vapes of all kinds, except where approved by the Minister of Health or the relevant tobacco control authorities.
Parents say the availability of these products, including flavoured varieties, is a growing concern.
Loydia Ross said, “Im in agreement with the ban I don’t think children should be involved because it is a form of smoking and it would encourage them more to go ahead and smoke naturally.”
Another parent, Washington Mingo supports the move, saying vaping could expose children to further risks. He says he recently confiscated a vape his son brought home from school.
“He brought one home from school and I took it away and I threw it away, he told me some child had it and he tek it
I told him its not good for him, you guys keep pulling at it and yall don’t know what it has inside but you guys keeping pulling in and blowing out , whosoever make it that is what we going with but we have no idea what is vape really and what it make with,” Mingo said.
President Ali says the restrictions are intended to strengthen public health protections, particularly for children.
”This measure in necessary in light of growing concerns over the widespread and unregulated importation sale and use of vape and vaping products in Guyana. As a responsible government we have a duty to product public health.”he said.
The Pan American Health Organisation warns that e-cigarettes are not harmless. They heat liquid into an aerosol that users inhale, and most contain highly addictive nicotine.
Their use is also associated with respiratory and cardiovascular problems.
The organization reports that 5.4 percent of adolescents in the Americas use e-cigarettes, raising concerns about their popularity among young people.
