Vietnam MoH Agency Proposes Policy to Ban Electronic Cigarettes
The Ministry of Health’s Department of Legal Affairs is seeking expert opinions for the proposal on the establishment of a policy to ban the production, trade, import, and advertising of new tobacco products, including electronic cigarettes, local media reported.
The agency made the announcement at a workshop in Hanoi on March 22 to provide information on the harmful effects of new tobacco products and propose management measures to protect public health.
At the workshop, Dr. Nguyen Trung Nguyen, director of the Toxicology Center at Bach Mai Hospital, pointed out three risk factors associated with the use of electronic cigarettes. Firstly, the nicotine content in electronic cigarettes is higher than conventional cigarettes. Secondly, the chemicals in electronic cigarette vapor vary significantly and continuously change. Thirdly, the risk of drug use is 3.5 times higher for electronic cigarette users compared to non-users.
Dr. Nguyen Thi An, director of HealthBridge Canada in Vietnam, highlighted the need for Vietnam to implement market control measures, strengthen enforcement, and enhance regulations on combating smuggling, advertising, and selling these products to prevent an increase in use among adolescents.
Ms. Dinh Thi Thu Thuy, deputy head of the Regulatory Affairs Department of the Ministry of Health, said that the content of the proposal will be submitted to the National Assembly during the October 2024 session.
In the ASEAN region, five countries have completely banned electronic cigarettes, namely Thailand, Singapore, Laos, Brunei, and Cambodia, while four countries have completely banned heated tobacco products.