Ministry of Industry and Trade strengthens tobacco business management

On May 20, 2025, the Ministry of Industry and Trade announced the direction of the Minister of Industry and Trade to continue to strictly implement the provisions of the Law on Prevention and Control of Tobacco Harms and realize the goals of the National Strategy on Prevention and Control of Tobacco Harms according to Decision No. 568/QD-TTg dated May 24, 2023 of the Prime Minister.

Accordingly, many synchronous solutions will be strongly implemented from central to local levels, focusing on perfecting legal policies, tightening market management, strengthening inspection and handling of violations, and promoting legal propaganda andeducation .

Specifically, the Minister assigned the Department of Industry to preside over and coordinate with relevant units to study and develop a Decree to replace Decree No. 67/2013/ND-CP on tobacco trading, in the direction of simplifying administrative procedures, supplementing regulations suitable for new generation tobacco, and consolidating current guiding documents. In addition, the Department will also develop a tobacco trading plan aimed at reducing domestic consumption and limiting community access.

For the Department of Domestic Market Management and Development, the Minister requested to strengthen inspection and supervision of compliance with the law in tobacco trading; strictly handle violations. At the same time, coordinate with functional forces to prevent and combat smuggling and trading of smuggled, counterfeit or unknown origin cigarettes.

Cigarette production in Vietnam. Illustration photo

The Department will also promote legal propaganda and education activities for traders, consumers and state management officials; deploy information technology applications in management; organize training and capacity building for law enforcement forces.

Regarding the Legal Department, the Minister assigned the task of presiding over and working with relevant units to review and complete the system of legal documents on tobacco production and trading, ensuring consistency, synchronization, cutting unnecessary procedures and strengthening wholesale and retail control, especially with young people.

Industry and Trade Newspaper and Industry and Trade Magazine will promote information and communication on the harmful effects of tobacco, legal regulations and the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), and introduce typical examples of good implementation of tobacco harm prevention and control.

The National Competition Commission is required to promote the dissemination of laws on consumer rights protection and competition laws in the tobacco sector; detect and handle acts of unfair competition and competition restriction in accordance with regulations.

The Import-Export Department will preside over the revision and supplementation of Circular No. 37/2013/TT-BCT on the import of cigarettes and cigars to submit to the Minister for promulgation in the second quarter of 2025; at the same time, strengthen control of cigarette import and trading activities at duty-free shops to prevent commercial fraud.

For the Department of Industry and Trade of provinces and cities, the Ministry requires directing market management forces to strengthen inspection and handling of violations; at the same time, coordinate to propagate laws on business and prevention of tobacco harms; organize periodic preliminary and final reviews, emulation and rewards.

Vietnam Tobacco Corporation is also assigned to coordinate with the Department of Industry to develop production and business plans to reduce domestic consumption, especially for vulnerable groups; coordinate to develop projects to support tobacco growers and industry workers; and promote digital transformation and technology application in the entire production - distribution - business chain.

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The announcement of the Ministry's Office stated: affiliated units need to seriously implement the Minister's direction to improve the effectiveness of state management of tobacco business activities, protect public health and contribute to building a healthy and transparent business environment.

Le Trang

Source: https://congthuong.vn/bo-cong-thuong-tang-cuong-quan-ly-kinh-doanh-thuoc-la-388760.html