Proposal to completely ban the sale of electronic cigarettes and heated tobacco products
On the morning of November 27, the National Assembly discussed in the hall the draft Investment Law (amended).
The issue that delegates expressed concern about was the ban on the sale of electronic cigarettes and heated tobacco products.
Delegate Nguyen Hoang Uyen (Tay Ninh delegation) said that report No. 520 of the Ministry of Health dated April 26, 2024 showed that the rate of students aged 13-17 using e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products increased from 2.6% (in 2019) to 8.1% (in 2023). In particular, the 13-15 age group increased from 3.5% (in 2022) to 8% (in 2023), which is nearly double.
Delegate Nguyen Hoang Uyen ( Tay Ninh Delegation). Photo: National Assembly Media
This shows that new tobacco products are targeting vulnerable youth, posing a risk of long-term impacts on the health and future of an entire generation.
"Many products still pose the risk of causing social evils, using addictive substances, strong stimulants, and seriously affecting social security and order," said delegate Nguyen Hoang Uyen.
Delegates said that the complete ban on e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products is consistent with Vietnam's international commitments, especially the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (effective in Vietnam since March 17, 2005).
Resolution 173 of the National Assembly has unanimously banned the production, trading, import, transportation and use of these products from 2025. Decision 1665 of the Prime Minister assigned ministries, branches and localities to review, amend, supplement or issue new related documents.
"Putting e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products on the list of prohibited goods for trading in the Investment Law ensures the strictness and consistency of current laws," the delegate analyzed.
In addition to legal issues, the female delegate expressed concern about the fact that e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products are easily disguised to mix addictive substances, especially in schools and public places, making control very difficult. Nicotine in these products is highly addictive and affects the brain development of children and adolescents.
These products are attractively designed, taste appealing, are cleverly advertised and convey a sense of harmlessness on social media. If not banned, they will become a tool to attract young people and increase the risk of starting to smoke traditional cigarettes. Banning them will significantly reduce access, reduce use and strengthen smoke-free social environments.
This is an important factor to ensure long-term sustainability and effectiveness in protecting public health.
At the end of the discussion and explanation session, Minister of Finance Nguyen Van Thang said that, taking into account the opinions of National Assembly deputies, the draft Law has added a provision prohibiting the trading of electronic cigarettes and heated tobacco products and does not provide any exceptions, because there is currently no legal basis, political basis and specific practices to regulate the cases where investment and trading of these products are allowed.
The draft also stipulates transitional handling for investment projects in manufacturing electronic equipment for electronic cigarettes and heated tobacco products in Vietnam for export only and approved for investment before the National Assembly issued Resolution 173.
Minister of Finance Nguyen Van Thang affirmed that no new licenses will be granted to any projects producing electronic cigarettes or heated tobacco products. Photo: National Assembly Media
Regarding the scope of regulation, the drafting agency said it has added N2O and psychotropic substances; and will continue to coordinate with the Ministry of Health to review and adjust to ensure strict and appropriate regulations, not excluding necessary cases, such as production at the request of the Ministry of Health.
Regarding transitional regulations, Minister Nguyen Van Thang explained that at the time the National Assembly issued Resolution 173, there were already a few factories in the country producing related products, even though the Resolution had regulations prohibiting production.
After that, the company filed many lawsuits and requested a solution, because this factory was operating legally and the products were manufactured for export.
In that context, the only solution is to provide transitional regulations for factories that were operating before Resolution 173 took effect, allowing them to continue production until the end of the prescribed period when they must completely stop.
Minister Nguyen Van Thang affirmed that no new licenses will be granted for any projects. These cases are mainly factories belonging to foreign enterprises.
Source: https://laodong.vn/thoi-su/se-khong-cap-phep-bat-ky-du-an-san-xuat-thuoc-la-dien-tu-thuoc-la-nung-nong-nao-1616293.ldo
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