Ms. Dinh Thi Thu Thuy, Deputy Director of the Legal Department - Ministry of Health shared: Nearly a decade ago, when e-cigarettes and tobacco substitutes became popular in Vietnam, the Ministry of Health began to warn about the potential dangers of these products.
Through international reports and research, the Ministry of Health has shown that e-cigarettes are not only addictive but also pose many potential health risks such as lung damage, cardiovascular disease and cancer.
The Ministry of Health also stressed that these products are not a safe alternative to traditional cigarettes, although many consumers still think they are less harmful.
During the period from 2018 to 2020, the Ministry of Health took more drastic actions to prevent the development of the new generation cigarette market.
Specifically, the Ministry has sent official dispatches and recommendations to the Government, proposing to ban the import and consumption of e-cigarettes in Vietnam. According to the Ministry of Health, the increase in e-cigarette use, especially among young people, could lead to a long-term health crisis.
In addition, the Ministry has organized seminars, inviting international experts on tobacco harm prevention to share lessons learned in controlling new-generation tobacco products. This is to put pressure on authorities and build strong legal policies to control the e-cigarette market.
In 2021, the Ministry of Health coordinated with the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Ministry of Finance and relevant agencies to draft legal regulations to stop the import and consumption of new generation tobacco products.
The Ministry of Health continues to affirm its view that controlling these products is essential to protect public health, especially for adolescents, who are at high risk of exposure to e-cigarettes.
At the end of 2022, the Ministry of Health issued a detailed report on the situation of new-generation cigarettes in Vietnam, and continued to propose stronger measures to completely ban the circulation of electronic cigarette products.
The Ministry of Health calls on the National Assembly to consider adding new generation cigarettes to the list of banned goods, in order to protect public health from the dangers posed by these products.
In Government and National Assembly meetings, the Ministry of Health has stressed that although new generation cigarettes are promoted as a "safer" alternative to traditional cigarettes, in reality these products still pose many serious health risks. The Ministry of Health also requested a ban on the import, consumption and advertising of electronic cigarettes and vapes to prevent the spread of these products.
Since 2023, the Ministry of Health has also stepped up its efforts to educate the community about the risks of new-generation cigarettes. Communication campaigns have been strongly implemented through mass media, social networks, and educational programs at schools.
These campaigns not only help raise awareness about the harmful effects of e-cigarettes but also call for the cooperation of parents, schools and communities in preventing the spread of new generation cigarettes, especially among young people.
Looking back at the important milestones in the journey of the Vietnamese Ministry of Health in banning new generation cigarettes, it can be seen that the determination and perseverance of the Ministry of Health is very great.
Speaking at the press conference on the plan to implement the Resolution on banning new generation cigarettes in Vietnam organized by the Ministry of Health on December 26, Ms. Dinh Thi Thu Thuy - Deputy Director of the Legal Department - said that the approval of this ban is a great success in the work of taking care of people's health.
Although there are many challenges ahead, with its tireless efforts, the Ministry of Health has made an important contribution to protecting people's health and building a healthy living environment. This journey is not only the responsibility of the Ministry of Health but also the participation of the whole society in building a future without tobacco.
