Vietnam Proposes Complete Ban on E-Cigarettes and Tightens Retail Rules

Vietnam’s Ministry of Health has proposed a complete ban on e-cigarettes, heated tobacco, and related components during a National Assembly Standing Committee meeting on September 21. The proposal amends the Law on Prevention and Control of Tobacco Harm to outlaw all production, commercial trade, storage, and personal use of novel nicotine devices.

Expanding the Scope of Tobacco Prohibitions

Presenting the draft law, Permanent Deputy Minister of Health Vu Manh Ha outlined restrictions targeting modern nicotine products. The law prohibits the production, sale, import, and export of electronic devices, component assemblies, and solutions used to assemble e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products.

Online commerce faces strict curbs. The draft bans tobacco sales across the internet, e-commerce platforms, social networks, and digital platforms, while also prohibiting point-of-sale displays. Retailers must verify customer ages using the national VNeID digital identification app or passports whenever a buyer is suspected of being under 18. Additionally, sales within a 100-meter radius of educational and medical facilities are banned.

Lawmakers Debate Retail Licensing and Enforcement

While endorsing stricter public health protections, the National Assembly’s Committee on Culture and Social Affairs questioned several provisions. Chairman Nguyen Dac Vinh opposed the draft’s plan to abolish tobacco sales licenses for wholesalers and retailers, warning that deregulation could increase access and consumer numbers.

Nguyen Dac Vinh also noted that the strict 100-meter retail buffer around schools is impractical, recommending that the Government regulate sales in “adjacent areas” instead. He also urged flexibility regarding VNeID verification to prevent excessive data collection.

Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Nguyen Hong Dien emphasized the need for actionable digital oversight, stating:

“Clause 7 of Article 9 of the draft prohibits the sale of tobacco products on the internet, e-commerce platforms, social networks, and digital platforms… but it does not simultaneously define the responsibilities of the platform operators; the mechanism for detecting and removing infringing content and accounts; or coordinating handling.”

Economic and Financial Committee Chairman Phan Van Mai supported prioritizing public health over retail revenue:

“We shouldn’t think of tobacco retail as an unattainable ‘livelihood’ for the people, because the income from this is actually not much.”

Lawmakers will continue reviewing the draft to resolve overlaps in device definitions and align the policy with national investment laws.

Source: Đề xuất cấm triệt để thuốc lá điện tử, siết chặt điểm bán thuốc lá

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Matthew Ma

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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.