The Government recently issued Decree 90/2026, which stipulates penalties for using e-cigarettes or heated tobacco products. Specifically, individuals using these products will be fined from 3 to 5 million dong. This direct penalty targets users as these products become increasingly common, particularly among young people.
Beyond individual users, any person or organization "harboring" others who use these products at locations they manage will face heavier fines, ranging from 5 to 10 million dong. This regulation excludes family members such as parents, children, and spouses.
In addition to monetary penalties, authorities will enforce remedial measures, including the mandatory destruction of e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products for offenders.
Business aspects related to traditional tobacco are also facing stricter regulations. Stores failing to display "no sales to persons under 18" signs may incur fines of up to 3 million dong. Selling tobacco to underage individuals, improper display, or selling products without health warnings carries fines of up to 5 million dong, and even business suspension for one to three months.
Significantly, violations concerning the printing and labeling of health warnings on tobacco packaging will incur severe penalties, up to 40 million dong, along with business suspension for up to six months and mandatory recall or destruction of non-compliant products.
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An e-cigarette device used by a student. *Photo: Phan Duong*
The tightened management regulations come as the use of new-generation tobacco products in Vietnam is rapidly increasing at an alarming rate. Statistics from 2019-2023 show that the rate of e-cigarette use among students aged 13-17 surged from 2,6% to 8,1%. In 2023, the country recorded over 1.200 hospitalizations due to poisoning and related illnesses from these products.
Most recently, a study of nearly 2.500 students in Hanoi, Da Nang, Hue, and TP HCM revealed that the average age for starting e-cigarette and heated tobacco product use is 16,9. The survey also indicated that many young people believe these products do not contain nicotine or are not harmful to health. Doctor Tran Thi Phuong Thao, representing the research group, stated that 37% of students believe e-cigarettes contain no nicotine, and 15% think the vapor is just harmless "water vapor".
Given this situation, at its 11/2024 session, the National Assembly agreed to a comprehensive ban on the production, trade, import, and use of e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products starting in 2025. Vietnam is currently one of more than 40 countries that have completely banned e-cigarettes and heated tobacco.
Le Nga
