Will prevent e-cigarette smoking in the community

The Prime Minister directed relevant agencies to propose and promulgate regulations to prevent the use of e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products, shisha and other new tobacco products.

On May 24, the Prime Minister approved the national strategy on preventing and combating the harmful effects of tobacco until 2030. The goal in two years is to reduce the rate of tobacco use among men aged 15 and over to under 39%; women to 1.4%; and reduce the number of people exposed to passive smoking in the workplace, restaurants, bars, cafes, and hotels.

The harmful effects of tobacco will continue to be studied, especially with new products. Vietnam also builds a roadmap to increase taxes on this product and regulates a minimum selling price.

Tobacco sales in duty-free shops are strictly controlled, completely no-smoking areas are expanded. Health warnings on cigarette packs are increased; advertising of this product on online platforms and the Internet may be banned.

Previously, the Ministry of Health had repeatedly proposed banning all new tobacco products, including e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products. Experts said that Vietnam currently does not have an e-cigarette market, mainly through hand-carried goods and online trading. Therefore, it would be feasible to issue a ban before these products are widely used in the market.

E-cigarettes can be addictive. Photo: WTVA

In early May, the Ministry of Health sent a document to the Ministry of Education and Training , the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Ministry of Information and Communications, and the Police requesting to handle cases of buying, selling, and trading e-cigarettes.

According to the 2019 World Health Organization (WHO) survey, the rate of e-cigarette use among 15-17 year old students in Vietnam is 2.6%. The 2022 survey on student use shows that the rate of e-cigarette use among 13-15 year olds is 3.5%.

WHO also said that there are currently about 20,000 types of flavorings used in e-cigarette products, many of which are toxic and have not been fully evaluated for their level of harm to health.

E-cigarettes contain nicotine, an addictive substance that causes cardiovascular, respiratory, and digestive diseases. The e-cigarette liquid also contains glycerin and propylene glycol, which can form propylene oxide, a carcinogen, when heated and vaporized.

Viet Tuan

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