How is it punishable to ask people under 18 to buy cigarettes?

Lawyer Ho Thu Trang, YouMe Law Company Limited answers:

Clause 1, Clause 2, Article 29 of Chapter II of Decree No. 90/2026/ND-CP stipulating penalties for administrative violations in the field of health (effective from May 15, 2026) stipulates violations of other regulations on prevention and control of the harmful effects of tobacco:

1. A fine of between 200,000 VND and 500,000 VND shall be imposed on people aged 16 but under 18 years old who use tobacco.

2. A fine of between 500,000 VND and 1,000,000 VND shall be imposed for one of the following acts:

a) Mobilizing and forcing others to use tobacco;

b) Using people under 18 years old to buy cigarettes.

Clause 5, Article 4 of Decree No. 90/2026/ND-CP stipulates the level of fines for individuals and organizations as follows:

5. The fine level specified in Chapter II of this Decree is the fine level for individuals. For the same administrative violation, the fine level for organizations is 02 times the fine level for individuals.

Thus, from May 15, 2026, people asking others who are not yet 18 years old to buy cigarettes may be fined from 500,000 VND to 1,000,000 VND.