The Ministry of Health is developing specific regulations on penalties for violations related to new generation cigarettes.

The Ministry of Health will preside over and coordinate with relevant agencies to develop a plan to implement Resolution 173, with the goal of completely banning e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products from 2025.

The Ministry of Health is developing specific regulations on penalties for violations related to new generation cigarettes.

The Ministry of Health will preside over and coordinate with relevant agencies to develop a plan to implement Resolution 173, with the goal of completely banning e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products from 2025.

On December 25, the Department of Legislation (Ministry of Health) held a workshop to provide information on the implementation plan of the National Assembly's Resolution on banning e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products from 2025.

MSc. Nguyen Tuan Lam, WHO representative in Vietnam.

This is part of the Ministry of Health's plan to implement Resolution 173/2024/QH15, passed by the National Assembly on November 30, 2024, with the aim of protecting public health and minimizing the harm caused by these types of products.

With the decision to ban e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products, Vietnam officially became the 6th country in the ASEAN region to implement this policy.

This move not only demonstrates the determination to protect people's health but is also highly appreciated by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the international community.

Deputy Director of the Department of Legal Affairs, Ministry of Health, MSc. Dinh Thi Thu Thuy, shared her joy when the National Assembly passed Resolution 173, affirming that this is an important step forward in protecting public health.

"We are very moved when the National Assembly passed Resolution 173, this is a meaningful decision not only for Vietnam but also for the whole world," said Ms. Thuy.

The Ministry of Health has released international reports and studies showing that e-cigarettes are not only addictive but also pose a high risk of lung disease, cardiovascular disease and cancer.

Although many consumers think e-cigarettes are less harmful than traditional cigarettes, studies show that these products are not a safe alternative.

In addition to their health risks, these products also cause serious social problems, especially among young people. The WHO has warned that e-cigarettes are “a gateway” to traditional tobacco use, while also promoting dependence on addictive substances.

According to the plan, the Ministry of Health will preside over and coordinate with relevant agencies to develop a plan to implement Resolution 173, with the goal of completely banning e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products from 2025. This plan is expected to be submitted to the Prime Minister for promulgation in the first quarter of 2025.

In addition, the Ministry of Health will also develop a Decree amending and supplementing Decree No. 117/2020/ND-CP to regulate penalties for violations related to e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products.

Specifically, the acts of "harboring" and "using" e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products will be strictly handled. The acts of manufacturing, trading, transporting and advertising prohibited goods have been punished in current decrees, but need to be supplemented and their deterrence enhanced.

At the workshop, MSc. Nguyen Tuan Lam, WHO representative in Vietnam, made recommendations to effectively implement the ban on e-cigarettes.

He said that Vietnam needs to strengthen the prevention of supply and restrict the sale and advertising of e-cigarettes, especially through online channels. In addition, it is necessary to set high enough penalties to act as a deterrent and maintain a widespread communication campaign to raise public awareness of the harmful effects of these products.

Mr. Lam emphasized: "Vietnam needs to implement strong measures such as mandatory helmet wearing campaigns or banning drunk driving. There needs to be the involvement of functional sectors and a large-scale media campaign to raise public awareness."

In implementing Resolution 173, the Ministry of Health and relevant agencies will focus on preventing e-cigarettes from being smuggled through border gates and points of sale. In addition, measures to handle violations will also be introduced with penalties strong enough to ensure deterrence.

The World Health Organization has also released research results proving that countries that ban e-cigarettes have much lower rates of tobacco use than countries that allow the use of this product. Specifically, countries with regulations banning e-cigarettes have a usage rate only 0.6 times higher than countries without regulations.

The Ministry of Health expects that with concrete and strong steps, the implementation of Resolution 173 will bring positive impacts on public health and stop the increasing trend of e-cigarette use in Vietnam. The authorities will coordinate to ensure the effective implementation of the Resolution, while helping to protect future generations from these harmful products.

The ban on e-cigarettes from 2025 marks an important step forward in efforts to protect public health, as well as demonstrating Vietnam's determination to fulfill its commitment to protecting people's health, while creating a healthy living and working environment for everyone.

Source: https://baodautu.vn/bo-y-te-dang-xay-dung-quy-dinh-cu-the-ve-xu-phat-vi-pham-ve-thuoc-la-the-he-moi-d235413.html