National Assembly unanimously bans e-cigarettes, starting in 2025

Under the approved resolution, the National Assembly has banned the production, trading, importation, storage, transportation, and use of e-cigarettes, heated tobacco, and other substances that cause addiction or harm to human health.

The resolution also called for increased efforts in public education, particularly targeting youth and teenagers, to raise awareness about the dangers of alcohol, beer, tobacco, e-cigarettes, heated tobacco, and other harmful substances that pose risks to human health.

This decision aims to ensure public health, maintain social order, and promote safety, according to the resolution.

In a report presented at the eighth National Assembly session in mid-November, Minister of Health Dao Hong Lan emphasized the need to ban e-cigarettes due to their negative impact on health. Members of the National Assembly also agreed that it is necessary to include regulations prohibiting and strictly controlling illegal trading activities related to these products.

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.

In addition to the ban, the Minister 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. She held that such measures are critical to safeguarding community health and reducing the long-term burden of smoking-related illnesses.

The National Assembly has tasked the Government with implementing this policy.