Vietnam Vape Ban: Principals Fined $400 for Student Use

Vietnam has escalated its crackdown on youth vaping by holding school administrators directly liable for student behavior. Under Decree 371, effective December 31, 2025, school principals face fines of up to VND 10 million (approx. US$400) if students are caught using e-cigarettes or heated tobacco products on campus. This marks the first time Vietnamese law has explicitly assigned legal responsibility to educators for student vaping.

Key Takeaways

Principal Liability: School heads can be fined $191-$383 for failing to prevent student vaping.
Student Fines: Individuals caught using vapes face fines of VND 3-5 million and product confiscation.
Criminal Charges: Large-scale illegal trading can trigger fines up to VND 1 billion or 5 years in prison.
Usage Spike: Youth vaping rates (ages 13-17) jumped from 2.6% to 8.1% between 2019 and 2023.

Decree 371: Assigning Responsibility to Educators

The new enforcement framework reveals a strategic shift from punishing users to pressuring supervisors. The Ministry of Health’s decree targets the management layer, incentivizing strict oversight within educational institutions. Beyond administrative fines for principals, the decree supports the National Assembly’s comprehensive ban on the production, sale, and use of e-cigarettes enacted in late 2024.

The crackdown appears to be working. The Ministry of Public Security reports a sharp decline in e-cigarette-related cases in 2025. At Bach Mai Hospital in Hanoi, emergency poisoning cases linked to vaping dropped from 5-6 per month to just 1-2, suggesting that strict prohibitions are reducing acute health incidents.

Is vaping illegal in Vietnam?

Yes. As of 2025, Vietnam enforces a comprehensive ban on the production, sale, import, and use of e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products. Violators face fines, confiscation, and potential criminal prosecution.

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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.