The Ministry of Industry and Trade has proposed piloting the management of e-cigarettes, while the Ministry of Health advocates for a ban on the import and sale of these products. Minister of Health Dao Hong Lan expressed concerns about the impact of e-cigarettes on the younger generation during an explanation session on state management responsibility for electronic cigarettes and heated cigarettes. The Ministry of Industry and Trade’s proposal is part of efforts to tighten control over illegal trade of these products.
Minister Lan emphasized the Ministry of Health’s consistent stance of proposing a ban on electronic and heated cigarettes due to their harmful effects on health, especially among young people. The Ministry is working on a resolution to ban the production, sales, import, and advertising of these products, while also considering amending the Law on Tobacco Harm Prevention to ensure coherence in regulations.
Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Phan Thi Thang defended the pilot proposal as a means to improve management and ensure the health of the public. However, there is still disagreement between the Ministries of Health and Industry and Trade on this issue, with concerns raised about the potential negative impacts of legalizing e-cigarettes.
Experts and delegates have also expressed reservations about piloting the management of e-cigarettes, citing their addictive and carcinogenic nature. The World Health Organization and the Ministry of Health have found that the use of e-cigarettes among young people is on the rise, leading to concerns about health risks and potential long-term consequences.
Overall, there is ongoing debate and discussion surrounding the regulation of e-cigarettes in Vietnam, with differing viewpoints on whether to pilot their management or impose a ban to protect public health and prevent harm to the younger generation.