Doctor Hoang Quyet Tien, from the Medical Information Center at Tam Anh General Hospital TP HCM, states that the human brain continuously develops, with its structure and function maturing until approximately 30 years of age. In adolescents, neural connections crucial for memory, learning, and information processing are still actively forming and refining.

The prefrontal cortex, one of the last brain regions to fully develop, is responsible for behavioral control, emotional regulation, and decision-making. While these developing characteristics enable young people to learn quickly and adapt effectively, they also make the adolescent brain highly susceptible to external influences, including stimulants.

Doctor Tien explains that nicotine profoundly impacts critical stages of brain development. It alters the activity of numerous neural connections, leading to lasting effects on both behavior and cognitive function. Consequently, young people are more prone to nicotine dependence than adults.

When nicotine enters the body, it travels via the bloodstream to the brain, stimulating the release of dopamine—a neurotransmitter that generates feelings of pleasure and euphoria. Although this is a normal biological mechanism, continuous nicotine stimulation produces excessive dopamine. This causes the brain to adapt and become dependent, eventually requiring nicotine to achieve the same pleasurable sensations. When use stops, dopamine levels decrease, leading users to experience restlessness, discomfort, lack of concentration, or intense cravings.

According to Doctor Tien, besides nicotine, other components in e-cigarette aerosol can also harm the brain. These include: heavy metals, formaldehyde, acrolein, acetaldehyde, and various flavoring agents. These substances increase oxidative stress, promoting the formation of free radicals, which negatively affects the development of nerve cells, as well as overall brain structure and function.

A doctor at Tam Anh General Hospital advises a patient. *Photo: Hospital provided*

To protect brain health, Doctor Tien advises young people to avoid smoking or to quit if they currently use tobacco products. The brains of young individuals can still adapt and recover once risk factors are eliminated. Furthermore, young people should maintain a healthy, balanced lifestyle, ensuring sufficient sleep, regular physical activity, and a nutritious diet. Children over 12 years old may consider supplementing with natural nutrients from blueberries and ginkgo biloba, which help neutralize free radicals, protect nerve cells, and support overall brain health.

E-cigarettes and heated tobacco products are widely considered to target young people, and their user numbers are increasing globally. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that over 100 million people worldwide use e-cigarettes, including approximately 15 million adolescents aged 13-15. Consequently, many countries have implemented bans on e-cigarettes.

In Vietnam, the prevalence of e-cigarette use among the 13-17 age group rose from 2.6% in 2019 to 8.1% in 2023. Starting in 2025, the production, trade, import, and use of e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products will be prohibited. The Ministry of Health is currently proposing legislation for a comprehensive ban on tobacco and its display at points of sale.

Dinh Dieu