12-Year-Old Girl In Thailand In Critical Condition After Vaping For 2 Years
She was admitted to the hospital after experiencing severe shortness of breath, vomiting, and weakness.
A 12-year-old student in Buriram, Thailand, has been hospitalised with severe lung damage, reportedly caused by over two years of vaping and consuming kratom juice with friends
According to The Nation, the case was shared on Facebook by Paphawarin Simlakorn, a nurse at a public hospital in Tambon Don Mon district.
She revealed that she recently transported three school students — a fifth grader, a sixth grader, and an eighth grader — to the hospital after they experienced severe shortness of breath, vomiting, and weakness.
At the hospital, they discovered that the students had been vaping and consuming kratom without their parents' knowledge.
Image via Paphawarin Simlakorn (Facebook)
The 12-year-old student was diagnosed with e-cigarette or vaping use-associated lung injury (EVALI) and is now in critical condition, requiring a ventilator to breathe
"This age group engages in these activities without their parents' knowledge — they hide it, they imitate others, and at home, they appear to be well-behaved children while we remain unaware," warned Paphawarin.
She urged the authorities to ban kratom juice consumption and to strictly regulate the sales and use of electronic cigarettes to prevent such incidents from recurring.
"As healthcare professionals, all we can do is diagnose and treat, but that's just dealing with the consequences," she said.
The Thai government has since been cracking down on the sale of electronic cigarettes.
Image via Khaosod Online
The alarming case has prompted renewed calls for stricter regulations on e-cigarettes and kratom consumption in Thailand
According to FMT, the Thai government has since been cracking down on the sale of electronic cigarettes.
On Monday, 24 February, Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has proposed establishing a taskforce to combat e-cigarettes, and suggested naming it the Doraemon Task Force in reference to the devices styled in toy-like designs, which appeal to children and youth.
There is growing concern over the sale of vapes that resemble toys, stationery, and candy bars in Malaysia:
In 2020, a 19-year-old shared her personal experience with vaping-related lung damage in hopes of discouraging others from vaping:
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