Minister of Health Dao Hong Lan has urged the National Assembly to pass a resolution banning e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products, warning of the serious health risks they pose to Vietnam’s youth.
On the afternoon of November 11, the National Assembly began its Q&A session on health-related issues. The first to question the Minister was Representative Pham Thi Kieu from Dak Nong, who raised concerns about the health risks of e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products, especially for teenagers. She requested the Minister's assessment of the current situation and possible measures to control it.
Minister of Health Dao Hong Lan pointed out that Vietnam’s Law on Prevention and Control of Tobacco Harms has been in effect for over a decade. However, when the law was originally drafted, it did not account for the recent rise of e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products.
Minister of Health Dao Hong Lan brings e-cigarettes to the National Assembly as evidence. Photo: Pham Thang
The number of users of these new tobacco products is rapidly increasing, posing serious health risks, particularly for young people.
Citing a survey conducted in 34 provinces in 2020, the Minister noted that the prevalence of e-cigarette use among adults aged 15 and older rose 18-fold, from 0.2% in 2015 to 3.6% in 2020, with the highest concentration among people aged 15-24 (7.3%). The survey also found that demand for e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products among young people, including adolescent girls, is rising.
In students aged 13-17, e-cigarette use increased from 2.6% in 2019 to 8.1% in 2023. Among those aged 13-15, usage rose from 3.5% to 8%, with a 4.3% increase among girls aged 11-18.
The Ministry of Health has submitted a comprehensive impact assessment to the government, compiling scientific evidence from around the world to highlight the health risks associated with e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products.
"We’ve brought samples of e-cigarettes with various eye-catching designs to show how enticing these products are. Who would guess that this is an e-cigarette? These products are marketed in attractive forms, heavily targeting young people," Minister Dao Hong Lan said, holding two samples of e-cigarettes manufactured in different styles.
Scientific research has shown that e-cigarettes pose risks to the heart, liver, and even mental health. In 2023 alone, 1,234 people received treatment for health issues linked to e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products. With 40,000 people already suffering health consequences from traditional cigarettes annually, the added risk from e-cigarettes heightens concerns for public health, especially among the youth, according to the Minister.
Minister of Health answers questions in the National Assembly. Photo: National Assembly
Though there are no regulations allowing the sale of e-cigarettes, Minister Lan noted that these products still appear on the market due to foreign companies' high-profit margins, aggressive marketing tactics, and smuggling.
Minister Dao Hong Lan expressed her hope that the National Assembly would pass a resolution to ban e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products.
During a recent mock parliamentary session on September 29, all 306 child participants voiced support for a ban on e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products.
"This sentiment is one we must consider in our policy-making process. Building on this foundation, we hope to formally propose this issue in today’s session. If the National Assembly issues a resolution to ban e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products, it would be a practical step toward protecting public health," Minister Lan emphasized.
Vietnamnet.vn
Podcast
.svg){kind=icon}
