Strictly punish violations of new generation cigarettes

When e-cigarettes are banned from January 1, 2025, manufacturers, sellers, and users of these products may face administrative penalties or criminal prosecution.

The National Assembly has agreed to ban the production, sale, import, storage, transportation, and use of e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products from January 1, 2025, to ensure public health.

Mr. Nguyen Tuan Lam (center) and Ms. Nguyen Thi An (in blue shirt) answer questions from the Investment Newspaper regarding the ban on e-cigarettes. Photo: Chi Cuong.

Therefore, starting next year, e-cigarettes will be listed as prohibited items. Individuals and organizations violating this will be subject to penalties according to current regulations.

According to the Head of the Legal Department of the Ministry of Health , the penalties for the crime of producing and trading prohibited goods are based on Article 190 of the 2015 Penal Code, as amended and supplemented in 2017.

Accordingly, violators may be fined from 100 million VND to one billion VND or sentenced to imprisonment from 1 year to 5 years. Government Decree 98/2020/ND-CP also stipulates administrative penalties for violations in commercial activities, production, trading of counterfeit and prohibited goods, and consumer protection, including tobacco products.

The Ministry of Health is developing a plan and reviewing legal documents to identify any legal gaps, and will then propose adjustments and additions to regulations to ensure they are appropriate, consistent, and uniform.

In addition, the agency also plans a communication campaign to raise public awareness, especially among young people, about the harmful effects of e-cigarettes.

The ban on e-cigarettes has been proposed and awaited for years by the Ministry of Health, the World Health Organization (WHO), and many international organizations, units, and individuals.

Speaking to a reporter from the Investment Newspaper on this topic, Mr. Nguyen Tuan Lam, representative of the World Health Organization in Vietnam, said that strictly penalizing violations related to new generation tobacco products is an effective measure to deter and prevent violations.

Citing Singapore as an example, Mr. Lam stated that the country imposes very high penalties for violations by those who use, manufacture, or trade e-cigarettes.

Accordingly, any act of importing, selling, or distributing e-cigarettes is considered a serious violation and will be subject to severe penalties.

Individuals, businesses, or organizations that violate these rules will face the following penalties: Violators may be fined up to SGD 10,000 (approximately VND 180 million) per violation.

In addition to fines, individuals who violate the regulations may face imprisonment for up to 12 months, depending on the severity of the violation. If a company is found to be selling e-cigarettes, it can be fined up to SGD 50,000 (approximately VND 900 million), and the individuals responsible within the company may also face criminal charges.

The use of e-cigarettes is also strictly prohibited in Singapore and will be subject to severe penalties. Those who use e-cigarettes, whether in public spaces or at home, can be fined.

Users of e-cigarettes can be fined up to S$2,000 (approximately VND 36 million) for each violation. In serious cases, users may face imprisonment for up to six months.

Advertising e-cigarettes is also completely banned in Singapore, including on social media. Individuals or businesses advertising e-cigarettes will face severe penalties.

The penalties for advertising e-cigarettes can be up to S$10,000 or 12 months imprisonment. Businesses that violate the regulations may have their operating licenses suspended or be stripped of their business rights.

Besides penalties, Singapore also focuses on raising awareness and educating the community about the harmful effects of e-cigarettes.

The government of this country regularly launches campaigns to raise awareness about the health risks of e-cigarettes, especially among young people and parents.

Sharing the view that serious penalties are needed for violations related to new-generation tobacco products, Ms. Nguyen Thi An, Director of HealthBridge, believes that applying strict penalties to new-generation tobacco products will not only help reduce their use but also reflect the government's strong commitment to protecting public health.

According to Ms. An, a policy of banning e-cigarettes and imposing strict penalties could be a strong and practical measure to protect public health.

These strict regulations not only help reduce the prevalence of e-cigarettes but also contribute to creating a healthier and safer living environment for people, especially the younger generation.

To ensure the effectiveness of the ban, according to Ms. An, we need to implement several important actions. First, we need to strengthen supervision and control over the production, import, distribution, and consumption of e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products.

Authorities must coordinate closely to stop the sale of these products in the market. At the same time, strict penalties for violating the ban must be thoroughly enforced.

Furthermore, according to Ms. An, public awareness and education are crucial. Campaigns to raise awareness about the harmful effects of e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products need to be widely implemented, especially among young people. The government and social organizations should cooperate to convey this message clearly and strongly through the media, schools, and communities.

Regarding policies banning new-generation tobacco products, approximately 40 countries, including five ASEAN countries—Thailand, Singapore, Laos, Brunei, and Cambodia—currently prohibit the use of e-cigarettes.

Source: https://baodautu.vn/xu-phat-nghiem-khac-hanh-vi-vi-pham-ve-thuoc-la-the-he-moi-d231637.html