Vietnam Bans E-cigarettes and HTPs Starting 2025

The National Assembly of Vietnam has officially passed a resolution to ban the production, business, import, storage, transport, and use of e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products from 2025. This decision aims to protect public health, especially the health of young people, and has received widespread support from the public. The resolution marks a new era in the prevention and control of tobacco harms in Vietnam.

During the 8th session on the afternoon of November 30, the National Assembly approved the resolution requiring the Government to implement regulations banning e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products from 2025. The resolution clearly states that the National Assembly agrees to ban the production, business, import, storage, transport, and use of e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products, and other addictive substances harmful to human health from 2025, ensuring public health, social order, and safety. The Government will organize the specific implementation of this ban.

The resolution also emphasizes the need to promote communication and raise awareness among the people, especially young people, about the harms of alcohol, beer, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products, and other addictive substances harmful to human health.

Read more: Vietnam Ministry Researching E-Cigarette, Heated Tobacco Management

Prior to the resolution’s approval, the content had been hotly debated by deputies at the session. The majority of National Assembly deputies agreed and proposed banning new tobacco products such as e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products to protect people’s health, especially the young generation – the country’s future.

During the Q&A session on healthcare on November 11, many deputies raised questions and heated up the National Assembly hall when discussing the issue of e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products. The deputies questioned the assessment of the current situation and proposed solutions for e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products.

Responding to the deputies’ questions, Minister of Health Dao Hong Lan brought e-cigarette products to the National Assembly hall as evidence, showing that e-cigarette products look like toys, are difficult to detect, and easily attract young people, affirming that this is very difficult to control.

The Ministry of Health has pointed out the reasons why new tobacco products are still floating on the market despite no regulations allowing them. However, due to the profits of the tobacco industry, these products still exist in the market.

According to Minister Dao Hong Lan, based on the collection of evidence and scientific bases around the world on the fact that new tobacco products contain many substances affecting human health, the Ministry of Health had previously reported to the Government, assessing the impact of new types of tobacco.

As the agency responsible for protecting people’s health, the Ministry of Health had reported to the National Assembly on banning e-cigarette and heated tobacco products before the Law on Prevention and Control of Tobacco Harms (amended) was considered and passed.

The National Assembly’s decision to ban the production, business, and use of e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products from 2025 immediately received strong agreement from the public. Many readers expressed their support and joy, believing that this is a necessary decision to protect public health.

Read more: Vietnam’s Ministry of Finance Proposes a Vape Tax

A reader with the nickname Vangp… shared: “Absolutely wonderful, my child is growing up, I am very worried about e-cigarettes, and I fully support this decision.” Reader Nguyenda… expressed: “E-cigarettes have infiltrated schools from elementary to university, banning them is the right decision.”

Reader NguyenDuyTh… recalled a personal experience: “I had to undergo long-term treatment at the hospital. Every time I went to the hospital’s courtyard to relax, I saw people smoking everywhere, even though no-smoking signs were posted everywhere. Even the hospital’s security guards smoked. This was very frustrating. I have been waiting for this decision for a long time.”

Many other readers also expressed their satisfaction with the National Assembly’s decision. Reds… wrote: “I applaud the National Assembly’s decision that meets the people’s wishes.” Vanpv.dong… emphasized: “This is a very timely and humane decision, protecting public health and future generations.”

Trang Nguyen… believes that Vietnam has made many correct and timely decisions: “From social networks to alcohol and tobacco, these decisions are really excellent.” Doanhiep… also affirmed: “I strongly agree with the decision to ban e-cigarettes. I have used them and realized they are very harmful to health. I hope future generations will eliminate e-cigarettes from their living environment.”

Some readers also hope that the Government will continue to take stronger measures against traditional cigarettes to return a “smoke-free environment” and protect public health.

From the National Assembly’s resolution, looking back at the tobacco harm prevention and control work of the Ministry of Health and related organizations and units, especially the Tobacco Harm Prevention and Control Fund, it can be seen that these organizations have been making unceasing efforts to protect public health. For more than 10 years, the Tobacco Harm Prevention and Control Fund has played an important role in reducing the harms of tobacco in general and e-cigarettes in particular. The Fund has supported more than VND 1,500 billion for tobacco harm prevention and control activities nationwide, from research and communication to counseling and addiction treatment programs.

The Fund’s communication campaigns have contributed to changing community awareness about the risks of e-cigarettes, especially among adolescents. The information provided by the Fund about the harms of e-cigarettes has made many people more aware of their own and their family’s health. Survey results show that more than 80% of e-cigarette smokers have changed their views on this habit, partly thanks to the strong communication campaigns supported by the Fund.

In addition, the Fund also organizes free smoking cessation counseling activities at many large hospitals, such as Bach Mai Hospital and Nhan Dan Gia Dinh Hospital. To date, more than 208,000 patient visits have been counseled on quitting smoking, of which more than 8,600 people have successfully quit smoking after 3 months. In-depth counseling programs and training of medical staff have helped increase the accessibility of addiction treatment services for the people, especially those with long-term smoking habits. Furthermore, the Fund has also conducted in-depth research on the smoking situation in localities, providing important evidence to help authorities develop more effective tobacco harm prevention and control policies.

Together with the participation of international and non-governmental organizations and universities, the Fund has built a wide-ranging collaborative network, contributing to creating strong changes in community awareness about the harms of tobacco. These achievements have been recognized internationally, and in 2018, Vietnam was awarded a global prize for its efforts in tobacco harm prevention and control.

With the unceasing efforts of the Ministry of Health, the Tobacco Harm Prevention and Control Fund, and related organizations and units, Vietnam has made great strides in protecting public health, especially in dealing with the rise of e-cigarettes. The National Assembly’s resolution is not only a continuation of the achievements but also a strong signal showing the Government’s commitment to protecting people’s health, especially the young generation, from the risks of e-cigarettes and new tobacco products.

News source:
Cấm thuốc lá điện tử từ 2025: Quyết định ‘đúng’, ‘trúng’, ‘hợp lòng dân’ trong bảo vệ sức khỏe cộng đồng

Author
Recent Posts

Matthew Ma

Marketing at Ecigator

With over a decade of experience in the e-cigarette industry, Matthew Ma is a seasoned expert in both the manufacturing and usage aspects of vaping products. His extensive background has provided him with a deep understanding of the intricacies and evolving dynamics of e-cigarettes.