Vietnam banned the e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products from January 1st. Using and carrying e-cigarettes in Vietnam will face severe penalties.
Individuals who use e-cigarettes in Vietnam will face an administrative fine of 2 million VND ($78.50).
Meanwhile, those involved in the import, trade, transportation or production of e-cigarettes and their components may face administrative penalties of up to 3 billion VND or imprisonment of up to 15 years, depending on the seriousness of the violation.
The ban also means travelers entering Vietnam with e-cigarettes will face hefty fines due to new regulations banning the possession, sale and use of e-cigarettes and their liquids.
Health crisis caused by tobacco in Vietnam
Tobacco has long been one of the leading causes of non-communicable diseases such as lung cancer, cardiovascular disease, stroke and other serious illnesses. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), tobacco kills more than 8 million people worldwide every year.
In Vietnam, nearly 40% of adults are tobacco users, and prevalence continues to increase, especially among younger generations. In 2023, nearly 700 medical facilities across Vietnam recorded a total of 1,224 hospitalizations due to e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products, Vietnam News reported.
Dr. Nguyễn Trung Nguyên, director of the anti-drug department at Bạch Mai Hospital, said the frequency of e-cigarette poisoning cases has been steadily increasing, with nearly 100 cases reported in the first half of 2024 alone. Further testing of patient samples revealed the presence of synthetic drugs in many e-cigarette products, causing multiple organ failure, brain damage, and even death.
E-cigarette bans expand globally
To date, 43 countries have implemented bans on e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products, and a further 39 countries have implemented strict restrictions on the sale, advertising, use and distribution of these products. In ASEAN, six countries (five of which introduced similar bans between 2014 and 2016) have taken similar measures.
Other countries, such as Australia, Turkey, Singapore, Mexico, India, Brazil, Maldives and Thailand, have also banned travelers from carrying e-cigarettes, mainly due to health concerns related to permanent lung damage.
