Theo báo cáo nghiên cứu ESOMAR:
Việt Nam to ban e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products by 2025
Since 2018, the Ministry of Health has persistently advocated for this ban,
underscoring its commitment to safeguarding the health of the population.
With the resolution now passed, the ministry is preparing the necessary
documents to ensure its swift implementation.
HÀ NỘI — The Ministry of Health’s Legal Department convened a workshop
in Hà Nội yesterday to discuss the National Assembly’s resolution banning
e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products, which is set to come into force on January 1.
Đinh Thị Thu Thủy, deputy head of the department, described the comprehensive
ban as a landmark step in public health protection.
“These products not only lead to addiction, but also pose serious health risks such
as lung damage, cardiovascular diseases and cancer. They are not a safer
alternative to traditional cigarettes,” she stated.
Since 2018, the Ministry of Health has persistently advocated for this ban,
underscoring its commitment to safeguarding the health of the population.
With the resolution now passed, the ministry is preparing the necessary
documents to ensure its swift implementation.
The Ministry of Health has been tasked with leading two critical components
of the resolution's execution. It will draft a government action plan to enforce
Resolution 173/2024/QH15, which mandates the full prohibition of e-cigarettes,
heated tobacco products and other harmful substances from 2025.
The plan is expected to be submitted to the Prime Minister no later than the first
quarter of 2025. Concurrently, the ministry is working on amendments to Decree No.
117/2020/ND-CP, introducing streamlined procedures for penalising violations
related to these products.
At the workshop, Nguyễn Tuấn Lâm, a representative of the World Health
Organisation (WHO) in Việt Nam, praised the decision as both timely and visionary.
He highlighted the comprehensive nature of the ban, which addresses production,
trade, transportation, usage and advertising. According to Lâm, the policy reflects a
strong consensus and underscores Việt Nam’s commitment to protecting its younger generations.
Drawing on international experience, Lâm emphasised the importance of enforcing
the ban both offline, such as at border checkpoints, and online, across e-commerce platforms.
He advocated collaboration with platforms like Facebook, Telegram,
Shopee and Lazada to eliminate advertisements and sales of these products.
Effective enforcement, he noted, should also include monitoring user activity,
tracking sales trends and launching public awareness campaigns.
Hoàng Thị Mỹ Hạnh from the Ministry of Health’s Institute of Health Strategy
and Policy shared further insights into global best practices. She noted that 43
countries have already implemented bans on e-cigarettes and heated tobacco
products, with 39 imposing comprehensive restrictions on their sale, advertising,
use and transportation. In ASEAN, six nations, including five that adopted bans
between 2014 and 2016, have enforced similar prohibitions.
Hong Kong, which initially regulated such products as pharmaceuticals,
has imposed a total ban within three years. Meanwhile, Singapore offers a compelling
model of enforcement. The country prohibits importing, possessing, selling or
distributing tobacco imitation products. First-time offenders face fines of up to 10,000
Singapore dollars, six months’ imprisonment, or both. Repeat offenders risk penalties
of up to 20,000 Singapore dollars, 12 months’ imprisonment, or both.
These measures are increasingly recognised as effective tools in deterring the spread of
harmful tobacco products and protecting public health.
With strong regulations and insights from international collaboration, the Ministry of
Health hopes to replicate these successes, ensuring that Vietnam’s citizens are shielded
from the dangers posed by e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products. VNS
