Health Ministry proposes a ban on e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products in Vietnam
VOV.VN - Minister of Health Dao Hong Lan has proposed that the National Assembly issue a resolution on banning e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products before the Law on Prevention and Control of Tobacco Harms is reviewed for amendment in the near future.
Taking the floor to answer National Assembly deputies’ questions on November 11, Lan emphasized that the rate of e-cigarette and heated tobacco use is rapidly increasing, posing serious health risks, especially among young people.
She cited data from a 2020 survey on adult e-cigarette use conducted across 34 provinces and cities, saying e-cigarette use among adults aged 15 and older had surged by 18 times, from 0.2% in 2015 to 3.6% in 2020, with the highest rate in the 15–24 age group.
“Survey results show an increase in demand and use among young people, particularly among young women,” the Minister noted.
Lan cited the results of numerous scientific studies confirming that e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products affect the heart, liver, lungs, and can even cause psychotic disorders. With approximately 40,000 people per year already suffering health impacts from conventional tobacco, the addition of e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products poses a significant new threat, especially to young people.
According to the Minister, although Vietnam has not legalized the sale of e-cigarettes or heated tobacco, these products have become widespread in the market due to the high profits and aggressive marketing from foreign manufacturers and smugglers.
The Minister also displayed a few e-cigarette products currently circulating on the market and pointed out that these products are visually appealing and designed to attract teenagers and children.
The Ministry of Health has prepared a report outlining the health risks of these products and is currently submitting it to the Government for review. It has also instructed specialized agencies to work with the World Health Organization to compile scientific evidence from global studies in order to produce an impact assessment on the dangers of e-cigarettes and heated tobacco.
To address this issue, Lan said in its report to the government, the Ministry of Health underscored the need for stronger measures to control the illegal trade of e-cigarettes and heated tobacco, which are endangering public health. She also hoped that, based on this report, the National Assembly would issue a resolution to ban e-cigarettes and heated tobacco ahead of any amendments to the Law on Prevention and Control of Tobacco Harms.
In addition to the ban, the Ministry of Health suggested reinforcing educational campaigns on the dangers of all forms of tobacco use and strengthening law enforcement against the sale and promotion of these products. The Ministry emphasized that such measures are critical to safeguarding community health and reducing the long-term burden of smoking-related illnesses.
