On 1 January, e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products were completely banned in Vietnam. The decision means not only a total ban on the manufacture, sale and distribution, but also strict measures against individuals including tourists who use or bring products into the country.
The unofficial competition to have the toughest rules against e-cigarettes continues. The latest in line is Vietnam - which is going all in on being the toughest. The newly introduced total ban includes fines of up to 2 million dong (around 900 SEK), which also applies to visiting tourists. For individuals or companies producing, importing or selling e-cigarettes, the fine can be as high as 3 billion dong, which is about SEK 1.3 million. For serious offences, such as widespread distribution or smuggling, offenders could be sentenced to up to 15 years in prison, according to the government.
The only party decides
Vietnam, or formally the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, is a republic and one-party state where the Communist Party controls the entire state apparatus, down to the village level, since 1976. Economically, however, through a recent transition to a market economy, they have made great economic progress, improving the living conditions of most of their citizens. But as a rule, they are tightly controlled by their single party.
According to Vietnam's Ministry of Health, the decisions around vejp and heated tobacco are a reaction to the increasing use of e-cigarettes among young people. The authorities have expressed concern that vejp is often "marketed" as a "harmless" alternative to traditional cigarettes, thus attracting younger users.
Damage by synthetic drugs in vejps
In 2023, more than 1 200 cases of hospitalisation were reported, linked to the use of e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products, according to the Health Authority. However, they state that in many of these cases, vejpen was found to contain synthetic drugs, leading to serious health problems such as organ failure, brain damage and in some cases death.
"This is not only a health issue, but also a matter of protecting our young people from being drawn into addiction," said a spokesperson from the Ministry of Health, according to Vietnam News.
International trend towards prohibition
Vietnam joins a long line of countries, mainly in Asia, that are legislating and banning e-cigarettes. But also countries like Australia and recently Belgium are joining the ranks. The bans are justified on public health grounds and concerns for young people. In Thailand, for example, it is illegal to both use and import e-cigarettes, and violators risk heavy fines or imprisonment. In Australia, strict prescriptions are required to use nicotine-based vaping products.
All countries that ban e-cigs do not have similar bans on smoking tobacco and cigarettes.
Travellers planning to visit Vietnam are advised by the country's authorities to carefully check rules on tobacco and e-cigarettes.
Vejpkollen advises its readers who are keen to travel to hold on to their hats wherever they are travelling, especially to the east.
