Vietnam Initiates Battle Against E-Cigarettes

Vietnam has officially prohibited the production, trade, import, and use of

and , effective January 2025, as per National Assembly Resolution 173. Violations will incur penalties under current regulations. This decisive action positions Vietnam among the first 40 countries globally to firmly oppose e-cigarettes, aiming to safeguard public health, particularly among the youth.

In 2023, the healthcare sector reported over 1,200

nationwide due to e-cigarette and heated tobacco use. Notably, Bach Mai Hospital recorded approximately 100 cases of poisoning from e-cigarettes and nitrous oxide in the first half of 2024, with some patients admitted multiple times and others suffering severe like and brain damage.

Authorities have detected

in several tested samples of e-cigarettes and nitrous oxide, raising significant concerns about their safety. Despite the ban, challenges persist, especially in preventing the sale and use of these products among students. The Ministry of Education and Training has issued to strengthen prevention efforts in educational institutions.

The Ministry of Health emphasizes that e-cigarettes contain nicotine, leading to

and serious health risks, including and . The ministry urges individuals to comply with the ban to protect their health and contribute to the nation's anti-smoking efforts.