E-cigarette smokers can be fined up to 5 million VND

The Ministry of Health proposes a fine of 3 - 5 million VND for the use of electronic cigarettes (illustrative photo)

The Ministry of Health is seeking comments on the draft Decree amending a number of articles of Decree 77/2013 detailing the implementation of the 2012 Law on Prevention and Control of Tobacco Harms and Decree 77/2020 regulating administrative sanctions for violations in the health sector.

Accordingly, the Ministry of Health proposed a fine of 3 - 5 million VND for the use of electronic cigarettes, heated tobacco products, and other new generation cigarettes and forced destruction of these products.

The Ministry also proposed a fine of 5 - 10 million VND for the act of knowing that others are using these products at a location owned or managed by them without preventing or reporting to the competent authority for handling.

The proposal was made by the Ministry of Health in the context that Vietnam is the 6th country in the ASEAN region and among 43 countries to ban e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products. From 2025, these products will be included in the list of prohibited goods. Individuals and organizations that violate the regulations will be punished according to the regulations. However, currently, after reviewing, there is still a lack of fines, "harboring" and "using" behaviors. Therefore, the Ministry of Health proposes to supplement the above regulations.

The rate of e-cigarette and heated tobacco use in Vietnam is increasing rapidly, especially among children and adolescents. From 2015 to 2020, the rate of e-cigarette smoking among adults (aged 15 and over) increased from 0.2% to 3.6%. Among students aged 13-17, the smoking rate increased from 2.6% (in 2019) to 8.1% (in 2023). Among girls aged 11-18, preliminary survey results in 11 provinces and cities showed that the usage rate was 4.3% in 2023.

The Ministry of Health warns that this situation is especially dangerous for young people. In 2023, the number of people hospitalized due to poisoning and illness due to e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products was 1,224. The products are not only harmful to health and cause nicotine addiction, but also pose a risk of being mixed with drugs. In fact, authorities have arrested many cases related to drugs disguised as e-cigarettes, and many students were hospitalized for poisoning.

A report from the Ministry of Public Security shows that the number of violations related to e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products containing drugs is increasing rapidly. In 2023, there were 86 cases prosecuted; in the first quarter of 2024, there were 33 cases, nearly half the total number of cases in the previous year, reflecting the alarming situation in controlling these products.
TB (summary)

Source: https://baohaiduong.vn/nguoi-hut-thuoc-la-dien-tu-co-the-bi-phat-den-5-trieu-dong-414180.html