Samoa's Ministry of Health is concerned about the use of vapes or electronic cigarettes which has become a trend amongst the youth population in Samoa.

The Ministry is also concerned that some people are bringing it into the country for the purpose of selling it online. 

In response to questions from this newspaper this week, the Assistant Chief Executive Officer of the Tobacco Control Team with M.O.H., Christina Soti Ulberg, said the importation of vapes and selling it online without an importer's license is illegal.

Mrs. Ulberg added that 'vape' is defined to be a tobacco product according to Samoa's Tobacco Act 2008. 

"Vape is defined to be a tobacco product," she said. 

"That is, electronic nicotine and non-nicotine delivery systems have been incorporated into the definition of tobacco products when the act was amended in 2019.  

"There is an opportunity to further develop specific regulations to develop regulations specifically on vapes which are actually called Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems or Electronic Non-Nicotine Delivery Systems. 

"It is becoming a problem with people bringing it in illegally and selling it online (anonymously). They will have to pay an importer license of SAT$500,000 if they wish to do so. 

"It is becoming a problem and a trend for the younger generation to use vape."

The Director General of Health, Aiono Professor Alec Ekeroma, who is away for official duty added that there is now a need to revisit M.O.H. 's legislation now that the product is quite popular nowadays and now available in neighboring countries. 

"Vaping wasn't an issue during the time M.O.H. developed the Tobacco Control Policy and legislation," Aiono responded exclusively to this newspaper. 

"Since it is now available in our neighboring countries such as Australia and New Zealand, thus need to revisit our policy and the legislation in order for vaping to be specifically reflected. 

"Generally, it can cover leadership and governance key strategic areas of the policy, but it needs to be visible in our legal documents.  

"I think our National Tobacco Control Committee is looking at this issue."

Last year, the Samoa Cancer Society Chief Executive Officer (C.E.O.) Su'a John Ryan in an interview with the Samoa Observer raised serious concerns about the impact of vaping. 

"Vaping is definitely a health hazard and studies overseas have shown that it is just another form of nicotine delivery, which is highly addictive," he said in response to questions from this newspaper.

"I know the Health Ministry is looking to have vaping products classified at the same level as cigarettes.

"If there is a school in Samoa condoning the use of vaping products, that would be a terrible idea and would be detrimental to the health of the students.”

It is understood vaping devices including refills are already on sale in Samoa with the device on sale for about $200 and the refills going for $90 each. Disposable vapes on being sold online 'anonymously' from $35-$50 tala for 1,000 puffs vapes and $100-$165 for 3,500 puffs vapes. 

In January 2020 the World Health Organisation (W.H.O.) released guidelines on E-cigarettes or Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) which it said had varying degrees of nicotine and harmful emissions.

Questions on whether e-cigarettes and other vaping products are dangerous, the W.H.O. guidelines read: “E-cigarette emissions typically contain nicotine and other toxic substances that are harmful to both users and non-users who are exposed to the aerosols secondhand. 

“Some products claiming to be nicotine-free have been found to contain nicotine.

“E-cigarette emissions typically contain nicotine and other toxic substances that are harmful to both users and non-users who are exposed to the aerosols secondhand. Some products claiming to be nicotine-free have been found to contain nicotine.”