Electronic cigarettes are becoming increasingly diverse in design, size, and marketing approaches. Alongside devices with recognisable appearances, some products are disguised as everyday objects such as pens, erasers, USB drives, lipsticks, or handheld electronic devices. Their compact and inconspicuous designs, combined with a wide variety of flavours, may arouse curiosity among young people and lead them to underestimate the risks associated with their use.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), electronic cigarettes do not simply produce water vapour. Instead, the heating of e-liquids generates an aerosol that users inhale. This aerosol may contain nicotine and other harmful substances that can adversely affect health. Nicotine is highly addictive and is particularly concerning for adolescents because of its potential effects on brain development. Certain substances found in e-cigarette aerosols may also have harmful effects on the respiratory and cardiovascular systems.

Therefore, identifying electronic cigarettes should not rely solely on their external appearance. Young people are encouraged to exercise caution with unfamiliar or unverified products, avoid experimenting with items whose purpose is unclear, and proactively seek information from reliable medical and public health sources.

During the workshop, HSB students explored the topic from multiple perspectives, ranging from the historical development of tobacco to changes in how tobacco products have been used over time. This broader perspective helped participants better understand the gap between how such products are presented in advertising and the potential health risks associated with their actual use.

The workshop featured Nguyen The Thinh, MSc, Lecturer at the VNU University of Medicine and Pharmacy; physician at the Department of Urological and Andrological Surgery, E Hospital; and member of the Vietnam Society for Sexual Medicine (VSSM). Drawing on his professional medical experience, the guest speaker delivered scientifically grounded yet accessible insights, helping students develop a clearer understanding of conventional tobacco products, electronic cigarettes, and related health concerns.

Rather than simply receiving information, students actively participated in discussions, raised questions, and examined situations they might encounter in everyday life. This interactive approach encouraged participants to verify information independently, recognise potentially misleading advertising messages, and carefully consider decisions affecting their health.

In a university environment, academic and professional knowledge should be accompanied by the ability to protect one's own well-being and a sense of responsibility towards the wider community. Issues that may appear familiar, such as electronic cigarettes, still require young people to develop scientific understanding, information evaluation skills, and the confidence to resist pressures arising from consumer trends, advertising, and peer curiosity.

Through the workshop "Beyond the Smoke – What Vaping Doesn't Tell You", HSB continues to expand educational activities that address practical issues in students' everyday lives. The programme reflects the School's commitment to fostering a learning environment that not only prioritises knowledge and professional competencies but also promotes health awareness, essential life skills, and the holistic development of its students.