Meanwhile, controlling and detecting the behavior of using e-cigarettes in practice still poses many challenges.
Closed delivery, no direct customer meeting
Records of Lao Dong Newspaper reporters show that in many areas that were once "hot spots" for e-cigarettes business in Hanoi such as central streets, public places or crowded areas with students... a series of stores have closed, returned premises or switched to trading in other items.
A tobacco accessory store owner in Thanh Cong apartment complex (Giang Vo ward) said that after functional forces strengthened inspections, no one dared to publicly sell this product line.
If you sell directly now, you will be fined immediately. Most stores are closed, only some people sell illegally online, deliver goods tightly, and do not meet customers directly," this person said.
In some tourist areas such as Ta Hien street, small retail activities are still secretly taking place, mainly targeting tourists.
Here, sellers do not advertise, do not invite, but display e-cigarettes on the shelves. They only sell to customers who are considered "safe", and are willing to refuse if they feel suspicious.
In the role of a tourist who wants to buy disposable vapes, the reporter approached a stall in the middle of Ta Hien street. Initially, the stall owner bluntly refused to sell, citing the reason of fear of being checked. However, after confirming "real purchase", this person took out a bag containing dozens of products of many types, priced from 300,000 - 500,000 VND each.
Restaurant and coffee shop owners are anxious because they are afraid of being "injured".
Not only sellers are afraid of being penalized, but many restaurant and coffee shop owners are also in a state of anxiety due to the risk of "accidents".
According to Decree 371/2025/ND-CP issued on December 31, 2025, the act of harboring others using e-cigarettes or heated tobacco at locations under ownership or management may be fined up to 10 million VND.
Ms. Bui Lan Anh, owner of a night eateries on Chua Lang street (Lang ward), said that since the regulation took effect, customers coming to e-cigarettes almost no longer use e-cigarettes. However, she is still worried because detecting this behavior is not easy at all.
Electronic cigarettes are compact, easy to hide, and the smell dissolves quickly, unlike traditional cigarettes. If customers intentionally use them, it is very difficult to control, and the shop owner is at risk of being fined," Ms. Lan Anh shared.
Employees of a coffee shop on Trung Kinh street (Yen Hoa ward) also said that the shop has thoroughly instructed employees to remind customers not to use e-cigarettes. However, during peak hours, thorough control is a major challenge when employees have to undertake many tasks at the same time.
According to business owners, for regulations to be effective, it is not only necessary for functional forces to intervene but also largely depends on the awareness of users. When sellers, users and business establishments clearly recognize prohibited acts and proactively prevent them, e-cigarettes control will be sustainable.
