Users and sellers have not stopped yet.
Truong Van Phong, a former e-cigarette user (living in Thu Duc City), shared: “Before, I spent a certain amount of money every month on e-cigarettes. After the ban on e-cigarettes was introduced, I stopped using them. It was quite uncomfortable at first, but I was able to quit later.”
In cafes, parks, restaurants, etc., where young people often visit, the rate of e-cigarette use has also decreased sharply. However, some people still use this type of drug in public places. When asked if they knew about the regulations prohibiting the use of e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products, many people said they knew but still ignored it.
“I read about the ban on e-cigarettes, but I still have some at home so I should finish them all,” said a young man smoking an e-cigarette at 23.9 Park.
According to Lao Dong on January 2, in Ho Chi Minh City, most of the stores that previously sold electronic cigarettes and heated tobacco products have stopped selling or transferred their premises. The websites of famous stores have also temporarily stopped operating.
However, there are still some e-cigarette stores in Ho Chi Minh City that have switched their business model to selling via social networks.
Posing as a buyer, the reporter contacted V.P store specializing in vapes (electronic cigarettes) located on Nguyen Cu Trinh street (District 1).
When asked by a reporter for advice on a burned coil tip in a vape (one of the common problems when using a vape), this person, after receiving the information, immediately asked the caller to send a message via Facebook for more advice. When the reporter suggested going to the store for more detailed advice, this person said that the store was currently closed and only sold online.
“We sell both replacement vape heads and other pod and vape lines. Please message our fanpage for support,” this person said.
According to the reporter's investigation, the website and Facebook fanpage of this business still exist. The latest post on this page invites users to join the Telegram group.
Following the “invitation”, the reporter joined a Telegram group called “CLOSED GROUP” with more than 190 members. According to the announcement of the admin (group administrator), in the near future, this store will switch to selling via Telegram, those who want to buy products will have to send a private message to the group leader.
It is worth mentioning that, although there has been a regulation prohibiting all production and business from January 1, 2025, this store still posted a sale in this closed group on January 1.
Tighten electronic cigarette business
The Standing Office of the Ho Chi Minh City Steering Committee 389 - Market Management Department said that it will advise the Ho Chi Minh City Steering Committee 389 to have a plan to widely disseminate information about the harmful effects of cigarettes and e-cigarettes. This is to contribute to strengthening the protection of people's health in the new situation, moving towards strictly implementing the Prime Minister's direction on not transporting and trading in smuggled cigarettes and fake cigarettes in Ho Chi Minh City and neighboring provinces in the Southwest and Southeast regions.
Mr. Nguyen Quang Huy - Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Market Management Department said that to handle the illegal trading of electronic cigarettes, the unit is implementing a peak plan before, during and after the Lunar New Year 2025.
E-cigarettes are identified as one of the key items that will be subject to increased inspection and handling. The Ho Chi Minh City Market Management Department will implement the direction of the Government, the Prime Minister, the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the General Department of Market Management, and the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee to implement the regulation banning e-cigarettes in 2025.
