From January 1, 2025, Vietnam will officially ban the production, trading, import, storage, transportation and use of electronic cigarettes as well as heated tobacco products. This decision is to protect public health, especially young people, from the harmful effects of new-generation tobacco products. However, according to records, the situation of students using e-cigarettes still occurs at some school gates.
Faced with this situation, the Ministry of Health is seeking opinions on the draft Decree amending a number of articles of Decree 77 2013 (detailing the implementation of the Law on Tobacco Harm Prevention and Control 2012) and Decree 117/2020 (regulations on administrative sanctions in the health sector).
The Ministry of Health proposes to add Article 26a after Article 26 in Decree No. 117/2020, stipulating a fine of VND3 to VND5 million for the use of e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products, and other new-style tobacco products; Destroying e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products, and other new-style tobacco products.
Along with that, a fine of 5-10 million VND is stipulated for the act of knowingly using electronic cigarettes, heated tobacco products, or other new types of tobacco products at the location under their ownership or under their management without preventing or reporting to competent authorities for handling.
This proposal received the consent of many people. Mr. Cao Quy - the owner of a beverage shop in Cau Giay district (Hanoi) shared: "If implemented, there needs to be a specific roadmap for people and businesses to clearly understand and seriously implement. As for increasing the fine for e-cigarettes, I think it is reasonable.
Lawyer Dang Van Cuong - Hanoi Bar Association said: "This is a drastic move in preventing and combating the harmful effects of e-cigarettes".
The Ministry of Health's report on the situation of tobacco use among adults in 34 provinces and cities in 2020 shows that the rate of e-cigarette smoking has increased 18 times, from 0.2% in 2015 to 3.6% in 2020. The highest rate of use is in the 15-24 age group (7.3%), followed by the 25-44 (3.2%) and 45-64 (1.4%). Investigations in recent years show that the rate of use of e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products has increased rapidly, especially among young people and girls.
According to Dr. Nguyen Trung Nguyen (Anti-Poison Center - Bach Mai Hospital): "The center has recorded more than 1,000 cases of nicotine poisoning and drug addiction due to the situation of e-cigarettes mixed with drugs. This seriously affects the physical and mental health of an entire future generation.
