E-cigarettes and heated tobacco products were the focus of a question-and-answer session in the National Assembly (NA) of Vietnam on Monday, during which the health minister proposed a ban on these products. Vietnam has been seeking to ban vaping products for more than a year.
In response to a query raised by a deputy from the Central Highlands province of Lam Dong on solutions to vapes and heat-not-burn ((HnB) products, which are a danger to human health, Minister of Heath Dao Hong Lan said that the use of these products is rapidly increasing and poses potential health and safety risks, especially for young people.
She cited the results of a survey conducted in 34 provinces and cities in 2020, which showed that the rate of e-cigarette use among adults aged 15 and over increased 18 times. It went from 0.2% in 2015 to 3.6% in 2020, with the highest concentration in the age group of 15 – 24.
The minister proposed amending the Law on Prevention and Control of Tobacco Harms to address this issue. She said it should include provisions to ban vapes and HnB products, and the ministry’s stance is “to prohibit these products,” hoping the government will take stronger measures against vaping, according to media reports.
Feedback from various ministries and agencies showed that most of them highly support the proposal that the Government recommends to the NA on solutions to ban the use of novel nicotine products. The Ministry of Health has conducted impact assessments as scientific evidence and has also made public the harmful effects of heated tobacco products and e-cigarettes, she said, adding that these measures are key solutions to provide evidence and a legal basis for the Government to decide on measures to prevent the harms of these products.
Responding to an inquiry by a deputy from the northern province of Quang Ninh on solutions to manage e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products, the minister said her ministry has submitted a report to the government to propose that the NA Standing Committee release a resolution on the issue. The draft Law on Special Consumption Tax presented at the 8th session also includes content on taxes for novel nicotine products.
The official said that Vietnam has participated in the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. Regarding support for smoking cessation, Lan said that by implementing the Law on Prevention and Control of Tobacco Harms, the Government established a tobacco control fund with a network to help people quit smoking.