In a significant public health move, the Citizens’ Representative Khural (CRK) of Khuvsgul Province has passed a resolution to ban the sale of electronic cigarettes within the province. The decision was prompted by proposals from the 12th Children’s Assembly and a large number of petitions submitted by students, parents, and community members.

Assembly members stated that the ban is intended to safeguard and promote public health, particularly among young people. Before submitting the formal request to the CRK, the initiative’s organizers conducted a phased survey among parents and adolescents, with the majority supporting the ban. The resolution has been forwarded to the Ministry of Justice and Internal Affairs, after which it will be officially enforced.

According to experts from the National Center for Public Health, e-cigarettes differ from traditional tobacco products in that they contain a wide range of flavoring agents, stabilizers, and chemicals that evaporate and enter the lungs. These substances can damage lung tissue, slow brain development in young people, and increase the risk of cancer.

Originally designed as a temporary aid to help smokers quit traditional cigarettes, e-cigarettes have now become widely overused globally. Health professionals report that excessive use has led to a rise in mysterious lung diseases, chronic respiratory problems, chest pain, irregular heartbeat, and persistent coughing—symptoms that have left many users with long-term health complications.