Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — Alisher Kadyrov, the leader of the "Milliy Tiklanish" party, in his address, revealed the dangers of electronic cigarettes, stating that they pose a greater threat to health than alcohol and natural tobacco.

Kadyrov noted that, despite the harm caused by alcohol and natural tobacco, some of this damage can be partially mitigated. However, the chemicals found in artificial tobacco do not leave the body and can cause catastrophic consequences, destroying DNA, weakening intellectual abilities, and impairing reproductive health.

"Natural tobacco and alcohol are consumed mainly by adults who have made their choice. At the same time, electronic cigarettes are gaining mass popularity among the youth, including schoolchildren and young people under the age of 30," he said.

Kadyrov particularly focused on the fact that two-thirds of electronic cigarette users are young people, with half of them being girls.

He emphasized that without immediate action, Uzbekistan will face catastrophic consequences in 20 years, including an increase in people with intellectual disabilities, and no laws will be able to prevent this process.

The deputy called for swift intervention to prevent future problems related to the spread of electronic cigarettes among the youth.