Vietnam Proposes Ban on E-Cigarettes and Retail Displays

The Vietnamese Ministry of Health has proposed a draft bill to outlaw the sale of e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products, and novel tobacco alternatives. This legislative push aims to restrict tobacco access and prevent early nicotine initiation among children and adolescents.

While Vietnam’s National Assembly previously passed Resolution 173 to ban the manufacture, import, and use of e-cigarettes from 2025, the restriction is not yet fully codified in the country’s primary tobacco law. This regulatory gap makes it difficult for law enforcement to seize components, parts, and liquid solutions used to assemble e-cigarettes.

Codifying the Ban on New Tobacco Products

The new bill proposes to amend the Tobacco Harm Prevention and Control Act to explicitly define and prohibit all novel tobacco devices and their parts. Early data shows the necessity of these measures: emergency cases related to e-cigarettes at Bach Mai Hospital fell by 70% in the ten months following the initial resolution.

Vietnam remains among the top 15 countries with the highest smoking rates among adult men. According to estimates from the World Health Organization, approximately 84,500 active smokers and 18,800 passive smokers die each year in the country from tobacco-related causes.

Read more: Vietnam Proposes Full Ban on Vape & Heated Tobacco Business

Removing Tobacco Displays from Retail Points

The draft bill also introduces a complete ban on displaying tobacco products at the point of sale. Currently, retailers are permitted to display one pack or carton per brand. However, health officials argue this serves as a form of direct marketing that normalizes smoking for children.

Domestic surveys reveal that 57% of tobacco shops display products within sight of children, and 28% place them next to toys or candy. The Ministry of Health stated that the goal of these combined measures is to prevent the next generation from starting to use tobacco.

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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.