Ministry of Health explains the need to ban investment in e-cigarette and heated tobacco business

(Dan Tri) - The Ministry of Health proposed to include the prohibition of investment and business in "electronic cigarettes and heated tobacco" in Article 6 of the draft Investment Law (amended) to comply with the provisions of Resolution No. 173/2024/QH15.

Recently, the Ministry of Health sent an official dispatch to the Government Office , expressing its opinion and requesting the agency drafting the Investment Law (amended), to include the prohibition on investment and business of "electronic cigarettes and heated tobacco" in Article 6 of the draft Investment Law (amended) to comply with the provisions of Resolution No. 173/2024/QH15 of the National Assembly.

In the official dispatch signed by Minister of Health Dao Hong Lan, Resolution No. 173/2024/QH15 dated November 30, 2024 of the National Assembly on questioning activities at the 8th Session of the 15th National Assembly stipulates: "The National Assembly unanimously prohibits the production, trading, import, harboring, transporting, and use of electronic cigarettes, heated tobacco products, gases, and addictive substances that are harmful to human health from 2025...".

According to regulations, electronic cigarettes and heated tobacco products are banned from sale and use in Vietnam. However, these products are still openly sold online (Photo: Minh Nhat).

Next, Decision No. 1665/QD-TTg dated August 5 of the Prime Minister promulgated the Plan to implement Resolution No. 173/2024/QH15 assigning the Ministry of Finance to "review and develop a Law amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Investment Law" and "Propose solutions to ensure consistency with legal provisions and the law compliance situation of enterprises...".

During the process of proposing to the National Assembly to completely ban e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products, the Ministry of Health received many opinions from businesses. The Ministry of Health accepted, explained and fully reported to the Government.

According to the Ministry of Health, in the process of developing the Law on Prevention and Control of Harmful Effects of Alcohol, the Law on Prevention and Control of Harmful Effects of Tobacco, the Law on Special Consumption Tax, etc., there have been objections from businesses due to conflicts of interest between businesses and public health (people's health).

"However, in recent times, the National Assembly has always put the health interests of the people first. The handling of difficulties of enterprises producing electronic devices for electronic cigarettes and heated tobacco products in Vietnam is only for export and is temporary.

This content has been shown in Resolution No. 29/NQ-CP dated May 14 of the Government on handling difficulties of enterprises manufacturing electronic devices for electronic cigarettes and heated tobacco products in Vietnam for export only," the Ministry of Health's dispatch clearly stated.

Regarding the opinions of the National Assembly Standing Committee and the Standing Committee of the Economic and Financial Committee, it is recommended to consider and study during the process of drafting the Law amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Law on Prevention and Control of Tobacco Harms because currently no country in ASEAN and the Western Pacific region bans e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products but still allows production for export or exceptional cases.

On the afternoon of November 11, during the meeting of the Discussion Group on the Investment Law (amended), many National Assembly deputies (NA deputies) also expressed their opinions that electronic cigarettes and heated tobacco products are harmful products. The National Assembly has also passed a Resolution on banning electronic cigarettes and heated tobacco products, so the draft Investment Law (amended) must prohibit the trading of these products.

In particular, according to delegate Truong Trong Nghia - Ho Chi Minh City National Assembly Delegation, the proposal to allow business but only to export electronic cigarette and heated tobacco products is also not appropriate.

Delegate Dung explained: "If we have determined that this product is harmful to health and society, then why allow its production for export? Should we export our "harm" to other countries? Whether other countries ban it or not is their business, but if it is harmful, it cannot be legalized just for the reason of export."

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/suc-khoe/bo-y-te-ly-giai-viec-can-cam-dau-tu-kinh-doanh-thuoc-la-dien-tu-nung-nong-20251112094623519.htm