The Vietnamese government has issued Decree 371/2025, amending and supplementing certain provisions of the Law on Prevention and Control of Tobacco Harm, officially setting regulations and penalties for the use and possession of electronic tobacco products.

The new decree defines e-cigarettes as products composed of an electronic device, a container for e-liquid, and the e-liquid itself.

Heated tobacco products, meanwhile, include electronic devices and specially formulated tobacco. These fall into categories such as devices that directly heat tobacco in cigarette-like form, devices with compartments for heating special tobacco, and devices that vaporize e-liquid before indirectly heating the tobacco.

Electronic devices in this context refer to those used for e-cigarettes, heated tobacco, or similar personal vaporizing equipment.

Specially formulated tobacco is defined as tobacco or other nicotine-based ingredients designed specifically for use in heated tobacco devices, whether shaped like traditional cigarettes or otherwise.

Under the new regulations, using e-cigarettes or heated tobacco will incur fines ranging from 3 million to 5 million VND (approximately $120 to $200). In addition, violators will be required to surrender the devices for destruction.

Those who harbor individuals using e-cigarettes or heated tobacco on premises under their ownership or management will face fines between 5 million and 10 million VND (approximately $200 to $400).

These penalties apply to individuals. For the same administrative violations, organizations will be fined double the amount imposed on individuals.

Furthermore, the revised Investment Law - effective from March 1 - adds the production and trade of e-cigarettes and heated tobacco to the list of prohibited business sectors.

The National Assembly has authorized the government to establish regulations regarding previously registered or approved investment projects for the production of electronic tobacco devices intended solely for export, provided these were validated by competent authorities before January 1, 2025.

E-cigarettes and heated tobacco products, considered next-generation nicotine delivery systems, operate by heating liquids containing nicotine or flavorings dissolved in propylene glycol or glycerin.

According to the Ministry of Health, despite the absence of traditional tobacco components, these devices still carry a high risk of addiction due to elevated nicotine content. They are linked to serious health issues such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, respiratory problems, acute lung damage, and mental health effects.

Tran Thuong