National Assembly delegates propose absolute ban on e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products

(PLVN) - Faced with the increasingly serious situation of buying, selling and using e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products, National Assembly deputies proposed to include these products in the list of prohibited business in the Investment Law (amended). This proposal is considered to be in line with the spirit of Resolution 173 of the National Assembly and aims to protect the health of the community.

On the morning of November 27, continuing the 10th session of the 15th National Assembly, chaired by National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man and directed by National Assembly Vice Chairman Vu Hong Thanh, National Assembly deputies discussed in the hall the Draft Investment Law (amended). One of the issues that received much attention was the proposal to add electronic cigarettes and heated tobacco products to the list of prohibited investment and business sectors.

Proposed clear additions to the Investment Law (amended)

Delegate Nguyen Anh Tri ( Hanoi City National Assembly Delegation) emphasized that this addition was very welcome by voters and was considered to be consistent with the spirit of Resolution No. 173 on questioning activities at the 8th Session of the 15th National Assembly, agreeing to ban the production, trading, import, storage, transportation, and use of electronic cigarettes, heated tobacco, gases, and addictive substances that are harmful to human health from 2025.

Delegate Nguyen Anh Tri (National Assembly Delegation of Hanoi City) spoke.

Recently, the World Health Organization (WHO) also sent a letter to Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, recommending: "The National Assembly's ban on e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products should be reflected in the replacement Investment Law and not come with any exceptions."

Therefore, delegate Nguyen Anh Tri proposed that Article 6 of the Investment Law (amended) should be written more fully to be consistent with the spirit of Resolution 173, because the current content is only "trading in electronic cigarettes and heated tobacco products". The delegate proposed to write it in full as follows: Prohibiting the production, trading, import, harboring, transporting, and using electronic cigarettes, heated tobacco products, gases, and addictive substances that are harmful to human health, the reason being that if only business is banned, it is still possible to invest in production, warehouses, or transportation.

Regarding Article 152, Clause 15, delegate Nguyen Anh Tri expressed concern about the Government's regulations on transitional handling of investment projects in the production of electronic equipment for electronic cigarettes and heated tobacco products in Vietnam for export only.

The delegate proposed to stipulate the transitional termination period in the law, only about 6 months and a maximum of 12 months. At the same time, he said that it is not appropriate to continue production for export, because "everywhere is human, everywhere is humanity, why is it banned in Vietnam but allowed for export?"

Delegate Pham Van Hoa (National Assembly Delegation of Dong Thap province) spoke.

Sharing the same view, delegate Pham Van Hoa (National Assembly Delegation of Dong Thap Province) also said that since this item is banned, it is not allowed to be produced, traded, or processed for export. The delegate is concerned about whether the export is guaranteed, or whether it will be consumed domestically when smuggled cigarettes are rampant and uncontrolled.

Protecting the young generation and complying with international commitments

Delegates all emphasized that the main goal of the ban is to protect the young generation and social order. Reality has shown that e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products are targeting vulnerable groups of children. For example, the rate of students aged 13 to 17 using e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products increased from 2.6% (2019) to 8.4% (2023); in particular, the age group aged 13 to 15 increased from 3.5% (2022) to 7.2% (2023), nearly doubling. In 2023 alone, there were 1,224 hospitalizations due to the use of e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products according to a report compiled from nearly 700 medical facilities nationwide.

In practice, e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products are often disguised to contain addictive substances and strong stimulants, especially at schools and public places, making control very difficult.

Therefore, delegates said that the complete ban meets Vietnam's international commitments, specifically the World Health Organization (WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. The convention stipulates that measures should be taken to protect people from exposure to tobacco, prevent initiation of use and reduce consumption of all tobacco products.

The inclusion of this amended Investment Law will create a clear and unified legal basis, making law enforcement more feasible and effective, while preventing the risk of illegal business and strengthening state management, avoiding the smuggling and disguised advertising of these products.

Source: https://baophapluat.vn/dai-bieu-quoc-hoi-de-xuat-cam-tuyet-doi-thuoc-la-dien-tu-thuoc-la-nung-nong.html