Vietnam's Health Ministry Proposes Ban on E-Cigarettes, Heated Tobacco Products
The Vietnamese Ministry of Health has proposed the government present to the National Assembly a resolution on banning the production, trade, import, and advertising of electronic cigarettes, heated tobacco, and other new tobacco products that may emerge in the future.
The proposal came as the use of e-cigarettes and heated tobacco is becoming increasingly popular, posing significant health risks and negative social consequences. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health noted that there are many legal gaps regarding e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products, and other new tobacco products.
The 2012 Law on Tobacco Harm Prevention does not clearly define these new products. The Investment Law also does not specify whether electronic cigarettes, heated tobacco products, or other new tobacco products fall under the prohibited or conditional business investment categories.
These products are particularly prevalent among teenagers and students. However, authorities have only been able to seize and handle these items as goods without proper invoices or documentation, or as smuggled products. Some criminal cases have been pursued, but only when illicit drugs or banned substances were found.
So far, five ASEAN countries, namely Thailand, Singapore, Laos, Brunei, and Cambodia, have already implemented complete bans on e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products.