Vietnam’s regulatory stance on electronic cigarettes and heated tobacco products underwent a significant shift culminating in a comprehensive ban effective January 2025.
Current Legal Status (As of 2025)
Electronic cigarettes and heated tobacco products are strictly prohibited in Vietnam. This ban, enacted by Vietnam’s National Assembly resolution, took effect on January 1, 2025.
Scope of the Ban
The prohibition encompasses all aspects related to these products:
- Production
- Trade (sale, distribution)
- Importation
- Storage
- Transportation
- Use / Possession
Rationale for the Ban
The ban aims to protect public health, particularly that of youth. Key health concerns cited by Vietnamese health authorities include:
- High nicotine content, leading to addiction.
- Presence of numerous harmful chemical compounds (over 60 identified in e-liquids) and toxic substances in the aerosol/vapor.
- Associated health risks: increased potential for cancer, cardiovascular disease, respiratory illnesses, acute lung injury, and mental health problems.
- Alarming rise in youth usage rates observed prior to the ban.
Enforcement and Penalties
Violations of the ban carry severe consequences:
- Administrative Sanctions: High financial penalties.
- Criminal Prosecution: Applicable for serious offenses, particularly production and trade.
- Fines: Ranging from 100 million VND up to 1 billion VND.
- Imprisonment: Potential jail terms of 1 to 5 years based on violations of criminal law (notably Penal Code Article 190, 2015, revised 2017).
- Authorities have worked to close legal gaps, including amending regulations like Decree No. 117/2020/ND-CP to explicitly cover penalties for use and possession.
Implementation Context
Vietnam became the 6th ASEAN nation and the 43rd globally to implement such a ban. Significant regulatory and enforcement groundwork occurred throughout 2024:
- The National Assembly passed the resolution in November 2024.
- Government agencies focused on developing detailed enforcement mechanisms and public awareness campaigns.
- 2024 served as the final transition year before the full ban commenced.
