The Vietnamese government has announced that e-cigarettes will be banned starting next year, marking a significant step in the country’s efforts to protect public health.
The move could impact international travelers, especially tourists planning to visit Vietnam. Visitors should be aware that e-cigarette use may soon become a punishable offense.
According to a report by VNExpress on Sunday, the Vietnamese National Assembly recently passed a resolution with overwhelming support — 96% of attending lawmakers voted in favor. The new policy will prohibit the production, sale, import, storage, transportation, and use of e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products.
The government is now tasked with developing specific measures to enforce this ban. The National Assembly has also urged the government to launch public awareness campaigns, particularly targeting younger generations, to educate them about the harmful effects of e-cigarettes.
While the exact details of enforcement are still unclear, once the ban is fully implemented, those caught using e-cigarettes could face penalties. As a result, international tourists traveling to Vietnam should be mindful of the new law and exercise extra caution.
On November 11, Vietnam’s Minister of Health, Dao Hong Lan, addressed the National Assembly, emphasizing the rapid increase in e-cigarette use, particularly among young people. She warned that the rising trend poses serious health and safety risks, especially for teenagers.
Lan strongly recommended that e-cigarettes be banned due to their harmful health effects and proposed amending existing laws to include this restriction.
According to a 2020 survey cited by Lan, e-cigarette use among Vietnamese adults aged 14 and older increased dramatically from just 0.2% in 2015 to 3.6% in 2020. Usage rates were found to be highest among individuals aged 15 to 24.
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