Statistics show high number of young people vaping – HoD of Respirology Clinic

…as campaign intensifies to outline risks of hookah, e-cigarettes

To combat the rising trend of smoking among youths, the Health Ministry has launched a comprehensive campaign aimed at educating school children on the dangers of tobacco products, including hookah and e-cigarettes.
The Health Ministry’s initiative is being spearheaded by Technical Officer of Tobacco Control, Dr Sheliza Gopie. Under this initiative, there have been significant engagements with students across the country.
Last year, Dr Gopie and her team visited schools in seven regions, reaching out to over 5,000 students.

The interactive sessions were designed to inform and educate young minds about the harmful effects of smoking, with a particular focus on the often-overlooked dangers of hookah and e-cigarettes.
“They were very interested to learn about all of the effects, the danger of these new devices like hookah, and e-cigarettes. But, one thing that really stood out, was the effects of persons in the home that they look up to. Persons that they see engaging in these activities, are causing them to imitate it and they are doing the same thing,” she said.
While e-cigarettes and vapes are not yet proven to be as hazardous as traditional tobacco cigarettes, Dr. Gopie emphasised that they should still be avoided.
The ministry’s stance is clear: prevention is better than cure. By educating children early, the hope is to curb the onset of smoking habits before they begin.
Head of the Department for the Respirology Clinic and Spirometry at the Georgetown Public Hospital, Dr Bibi Waleema Bacchus-Ali has also been vocal about the challenges faced by youths regarding smoking.

“Our statistics are showing that most of our young people are vaping, which is another form of smoking. There is also another form of smoking which is hookah. All of these forms of smoking can cause addiction at a young age. If you start smoking by 13 or 14, imagine what your heart and lungs will look like at 20 or 25”, she explained.
Dr Bacchus- Ali, stated that by age 40, a person can severely damage their heart and lungs.
The Health Ministry’s initiative aims to create a supportive environment where children are informed and empowered to make healthy choices. Through continued education and community engagement, the ministry hopes to reduce the prevalence of smoking among youths and ensure a healthier future generation. (G9) To combat the rising trend of smoking among youths, the Health Ministry has launched a comprehensive campaign aimed at educating school children on the dangers of tobacco products, including hookah and e-cigarettes.
The Health Ministry’s initiative is being spearheaded by Technical Officer of Tobacco Control, Dr Sheliza Gopie. Under this initiative, there have been significant engagements with students across the country.
Last year, Dr Gopie and her team visited schools in seven regions, reaching out to over 5,000 students.
The interactive sessions were designed to inform and educate young minds about the harmful effects of smoking, with a particular focus on the often-overlooked dangers of hookah and e-cigarettes.
“They were very interested to learn about all of the effects, the danger of these new devices like hookah, and e-cigarettes. But, one thing that really stood out, was the effects of persons in the home that they look up to. Persons that they see engaging in these activities, are causing them to imitate it and they are doing the same thing,” she said.
While e-cigarettes and vapes are not yet proven to be as hazardous as traditional tobacco cigarettes, Dr. Gopie emphasised that they should still be avoided.
The ministry’s stance is clear: prevention is better than cure. By educating children early, the hope is to curb the onset of smoking habits before they begin.
Head of the Department for the Respirology Clinic and Spirometry at the Georgetown Public Hospital, Dr Bibi Waleema Bacchus-Ali has also been vocal about the challenges faced by youths regarding smoking.
“Our statistics are showing that most of our young people are vaping, which is another form of smoking. There is also another form of smoking which is hookah. All of these forms of smoking can cause addiction at a young age. If you start smoking by 13 or 14, imagine what your heart and lungs will look like at 20 or 25”, she explained.
Dr Bacchus- Ali, stated that by age 40, a person can severely damage their heart and lungs.
The Health Ministry’s initiative aims to create a supportive environment where children are informed and empowered to make healthy choices. Through continued education and community engagement, the ministry hopes to reduce the prevalence of smoking among youths and ensure a healthier future generation. (G9)