Responding to questions from National Assembly deputies regarding the alarming situation of e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products, which are not yet recognized in Vietnam but are being sold widely on the market, especially online, and affecting the health of the people, especially young people, Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien affirmed the Ministry's stance that it is necessary to protect the health of the people.
The Ministry of Industry and Trade proposed that the Government temporarily suspend the adoption of the Decree on the management of new-generation tobacco products until the Ministry of Health officially assesses the harmful effects of these products. During the drafting process of the Decree, as directed by the Government, the Ministry of Industry and Trade also received feedback from the Ministry of Health, which agreed to the temporary suspension; the Prime Minister accepted this.
National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man presides over the questioning session. Photo: Doan Tan/TTXVN.
"If the Ministry of Health confirms that new-generation tobacco products are harmful to health to the point of needing a ban, the Ministry of Industry and Trade supports the need to promptly amend relevant legal regulations so that these products are not allowed to circulate," the Minister emphasized.
The Minister added that, in fact, the Ministry of Industry and Trade has not yet granted business licenses to any agency or website selling this product. At the same time, the Ministry has directed market management forces to coordinate with local authorities to inspect, control, and handle many cases, some of which have been transferred to relevant agencies for processing according to the law.
Following the Prime Minister's directive, the Ministry of Health will continue to review this issue and propose amendments to the law in the near future.
Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien answers questions. Photo: Doan Tan/TTXVN
Previously, during the question-and-answer session on the afternoon of June 4th, regarding the above issue, Minister Nguyen Hong Dien stated that tobacco business is a conditional business sector regulated by the Law on Prevention and Control of Tobacco Harm and Government Decree No. 67/2013/ND-CP detailing some provisions and measures for implementing the Law on Prevention and Control of Tobacco Harm concerning tobacco business. However, new generation tobacco products, including e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products, are not specifically defined in the current law. The Minister believes this is a "legal gap" that needs to be addressed.
According to the Minister, violations related to traditional or new-generation cigarettes are mainly due to smuggling. Therefore, authorities need to prevent this at the border, as managing them once they enter the country becomes much more difficult.
According to baotintuc.vn
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