Health ministry seeks feedback in preparation for 2025 e-cigarette ban

The workshop held by the Ministry of Health’s Department of Legal Affairs in Hanoi on December 25 to provide information about a plan to implement the National Assembly's resolution involving the ban of e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products. (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi – The Ministry of Health’s Department of Legal Affairs held a workshop in Hanoi on December 25 to provide information about a plan to implement the National Assembly (NA)'s resolution involving the ban of e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products.

Dinh Thi Thu Thuy, deputy director of the department, stated that Resolution No. 173/2024/QH15, issued on November 30, mentions the NA's decision to prohibit the production, trade, import, storage, transport, and use of e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products, and addictive or harmful substances starting in 2025. The decision aims to safeguard public health and ensure social order and safety, with the Government tasked to lead the perfomance.

The Ministry of Health has been assigned by the Government to build a decreed to amend and supplement its Decree No. 117/2020/ND-CP, which governs administrative penalties in the health sector. The new decree will introduce sanctions on the "storage" and "use" of e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products, and harmful substances, as well as the authorities to address these violations.

Nguyen Tuan Lam, a representative of the World Health Organisation (WHO) in Vietnam, suggested the ministry curb supply chains, particularly by targeting smuggling, illegal sales, and advertising of these goods.

Lam said stronger enforcement should be implemented at border checkpoints and retail outlets, along with significant fines to deter violations. He also proposed organising public awareness campaigns akin to helmet-wearing or anti-drunk driving efforts, as well as regular surveys to assess usage rates and the effectiveness of the regulations.

Currently, Article 190 of Vietnam's Penal Code stipulates penalties ranging from fines of 100 million VND (3,932 USD) to 1 billion VND or imprisonment of 1 to 5 years for producing or trading banned goods. Article 191 imposes fines from 50 million VND to 300 million VND or imprisonment of 6 months to 3 years for storing or transporting them. However, there are no specific regulations yet for penalising the use of e-cigarettes or heated tobacco products.

PM asks for strengthened measures to manage e-cigarettes, heated tobacco Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has signed to issue a dispatch to relevant ministries, agencies, and localities, asking for strengthened measures to manage electronic cigarettes and heated tobacco.