High consensus on banning investment in e-cigarette and heated tobacco business

Discussing the Investment Law (amended) at the National Assembly Hall on the morning of November 27, many delegates expressed their high consensus on adding e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products to the list of "Industries and trades prohibited from investment and business" (in Article 6).

Delegate Nguyen Anh Tri ( Hanoi City National Assembly Delegation) said that the addition of e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products to the list of "Prohibited investment and business sectors" in the draft Law was highly approved by voters. This is consistent with the spirit of Resolution No. 173 on questioning activities at the 8th Session of the 15th National Assembly, which unanimously banned the production, trading, import, storage, transportation, and use of e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products, and gases and addictive substances that are harmful to human health from 2025.

"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," the delegate cited. Thus, the ban is very consistent with the World Health Organization's recommendations," the delegate said.

Delegate Nguyen Anh Tri (Hanoi delegation) speaks. Photo: National Assembly

From the delegate's perspective, Mr. Nguyen Anh Tri suggested that Article 6 of the Investment Law (amended) should be written more fully to be consistent with the spirit of Resolution 173. Specifically, the current content in the draft Law only states "Business of electronic cigarettes and heated tobacco products". According to the delegate, it should be written in full as: " Prohibiting the production, trading, import, harboring, transporting, and using electronic cigarettes, heated tobacco products, and gases and addictive substances that are harmful to human health". Because if it is only "banned from trading", it is still possible to invest in production, warehouses, or transportation.

Proposal to ban the production of heated tobacco for export

Regarding Article 152, Clause 15, delegate Nguyen Anh Tri expressed concern about the Government's provision on transitional handling for 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.

In particular, delegate Nguyen Anh Tri expressed his disagreement with the fact that we still allow the production of heated tobacco. He said that this is inappropriate. "Why do we ban it from our country knowing that it is toxic but still produce it to export to other countries? Everywhere is human, everywhere is humanity! Therefore, we must quickly ban it to end it," the delegate emphasized.

Delegate Pham Van Hoa (Dong Thap province delegation) spoke

Agreeing with the opinion of delegate Nguyen Anh Tri, delegate Pham Van Hoa (Dong Thap province delegation) also agreed that, " this item is banned, so even production, trading, processing for export is not allowed" . The delegate also expressed concern "is the export guaranteed, or will it be consumed domestically when smuggled cigarettes are rampant and uncontrolled?".

Strengthening a smoke-free social environment, protecting the younger generation and complying with international commitments

Also concerned about e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products, delegate Nguyen Hoang Uyen (Tay Ninh delegation) cited: according to Report No. 520 of the Ministry of Health dated April 26, 2024, the rate of students aged 13 to 17 using e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products increased from 2.6% in 2019 to 8.1% in 2023, especially the age group from 13 to 15 increased from 3.5% in 2022 to 8% in 2023, nearly doubling.

In addition, studies show that adolescents who have never smoked but use e-cigarettes are 3.5 times more likely to start smoking conventional cigarettes. In Vietnam, 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).

Illustration photo

Worryingly, these products are designed to be eye-catching, have attractive flavors, are sophisticatedly advertised, and spread harmless psychology on social networks. Therefore, if not banned, the business of electronic cigarettes and heated tobacco products will become a camouflage tool targeting young people, while increasing the risk of teenagers starting to smoke traditional cigarettes.

"This situation shows that e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products are targeting vulnerable children, causing long-term impacts on the health and future of an entire generation. In addition, many new tobacco products also pose the risk of causing social evils, including the use of addictive substances and strong stimulants, while seriously affecting social security and order," Ms. Uyen said.

From that reality, the delegate said that the complete ban on electronic cigarettes and heated tobacco products meets Vietnam's international commitments , specifically the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, which took effect in Vietnam on March 17, 2005. At the same time, it will significantly narrow access, reduce the rate of youth use, strengthen the smoke-free social environment and contribute to building a healthy young generation with the right awareness of a healthy lifestyle and responsibility for themselves...

Source: https://phunuvietnam.vn/thong-nhat-cao-viec-cam-dau-tu-kinh-doanh-thuoc-la-dien-tu-va-thuoc-la-nung-nong-238251127141424012.htm