Increase inspection and punishment of violations related to electronic cigarettes and heated tobacco products

The Ministry of Health has just issued a notice requesting authorities to strengthen inspection, detection and strict punishment of advertising of e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products, especially on the internet.

The Ministry of Health has just issued a notice requesting authorities to strengthen inspection, detection and strict punishment of advertising of e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products, especially on the internet.

This is part of efforts to implement Resolution No. 173/2024/QH15 of the National Assembly , banning the production, trading, import, storage, transportation and use of e-cigarette and heated tobacco products from 2025.

The use of e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products in the community, especially among young people, is increasing rapidly.

On November 30, 2024, the National Assembly issued Resolution 173, requiring the ban on new generation cigarettes to protect public health.

The Ministry of Health has requested the Ministry of Information and Communications and the Ministry of Education and Training to strengthen coordination to implement measures to inspect and strictly punish acts of advertising tobacco products on the internet.

In addition, the Ministry of Health is drafting amendments to Decree No. 117/2020/ND-CP to increase penalties for violations related to e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products. The fine can be up to VND2 million for repeat violations, and violating products will be confiscated and destroyed.

According to recent surveys, the rate of e-cigarette and heated tobacco use in the community, especially among young people, is increasing rapidly.

Data from the 2020 survey showed that e-cigarette use had increased 18-fold compared to 2015. Among the 15-24 age group, the e-cigarette use rate was up to 7.3%. In particular, the e-cigarette use rate among students aged 13-15 increased from 3.5% to 8% in 2023.

These products attract young people thanks to their eye-catching designs, diverse flavors and low prices. The attractive advertising and use of youth idols to market tobacco products attracts many people, especially students.

E-cigarettes and heated tobacco products cause serious health problems, cause nicotine addiction, and can be a precursor to drug abuse. In fact, many e-cigarette products today are "hidden" with drugs that are dangerous to the health of users.

Faced with the increasing use of e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products, the Ministry of Health calls on the community to raise awareness of the harmful effects of these products.

Social media and mass media campaigns need to be stepped up to warn young people about the risk of addiction and long-term harm of e-cigarettes.

In addition, the Ministry of Health also recommends strengthening inspection and supervision at tobacco stores and points of sale, especially the sale of electronic cigarettes to people under 18 years old. Forms of tobacco advertising and marketing need to be strictly controlled to avoid attracting young people.

In addition, smoking cessation support programs should be widely implemented, providing psychological counseling services, alternative therapies and health care services to support people to quit smoking. Governments and health organizations should also increase the provision of guidance materials and free online courses to help people quit smoking effectively.

To achieve the goal of reducing tobacco use in the community, implementing smoke-free policies in public areas, offices, schools and hospitals is extremely important. This is a measure to help protect the health of non-smokers and create a healthy living environment for the community.

In parallel, preventing tobacco use in schools and universities also plays an important role in the long-term strategy to prevent the harmful effects of tobacco.

Source: https://baodautu.vn/tang-kiem-tra-xu-phat-vi-pham-ve-thuoc-la-dien-tu-va-thuoc-la-nung-nong-d242577.html