Health Ministry proposes ban on e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products

E-cigarettes and heated tobacco products were at the centre of a question-and-answer event at the ongoing 8th session of the 15th National Assembly (NA) on November 11.

In response to a query raised by a deputy from the Central Highlands province of Lam Dong on solutions to e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products, which are a danger to human health, especially adolescents, Minister of Heath Dao Hong Lan said that the use of these products is rapidly increasing and poses potential health and safety risks, especially for young people.

She cited results of a survey conducted in 34 provinces and cities in 2020 as showing that the rate of e-cigarette use among adults aged 15 and over increased 18 times. It went from 0.2% in 2015 to 3.6% in 2020, with the highest concentration in the age group of 15 - 24. Another survey related to the use of e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products by age group revealed that the demand and use among young people, especially women and girls, has also increased.

To address this issue, the minister proposed amending the Law on Prevention and Control of Tobacco Harms. She said it should include provisions to ban e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products, and the ministry’s stance is to prohibit these products, hoping the Government takes stronger measures on the matter.

Feedback from various ministries and agencies showed that most of them are highly supportive of the proposal that the Government recommend the NA on solutions to ban the use of e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products. The Ministry of Health (MoH) has conducted impact assessments as scientific evidence and has also made public the harmful effects of heated tobacco products and e-cigarettes, she said, adding that these measures are key solutions to provide evidence and legal basis for the Government to decide on measures to prevent the harms of these products.

Responding to an inquiry of a deputy from the northern province of Quang Ninh on solutions to manage e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products, the minister said her ministry has submitted a report to the Government to propose the NA Standing Committee release a resolution on the issue. The draft Law on Special Consumption Tax presented at the 8th session also includes a content of tax on new tobacco generation.

The MoH has sent three documents to the Ministry of Finance and the Government Office to propose a ban on e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products, Lan added.

According to the Health Economics Association's assessment, for every dong gained in tobacco tax, five dongs are spent on addressing public health impacts, not to mention the long-term spiritual and mental health effect on the population, she noted.

The official went on to say that Vietnam has participated in the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. In addition to reducing the harm of traditional tobacco, with the emergence of new forms such as e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products, the health sector has provided extensive consultation for the Government and the Prime Minister. These efforts include improving public awareness of the harms of the products through the mass media, and coordinating with the education sector and other relevant agencies to increase communication and tobacco harm prevention efforts.

Regarding support for smoking cessation, Lan said that implementing the Law on Prevention and Control of Tobacco Harms, the Government established a tobacco control fund with establishing a network to help people quit smoking among its tasks.

The MoH has 24 units participating in this network, including large hospitals under its management such as Bach Mai Hospital, the National Lung Hospital, and the Hue Central Hospital, which serve large numbers of patients.