More policy 'tools' needed to effectively enforce bans on e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products

Efforts to control but new generation cigarettes still "slip through the net" due to lack of regulations

In the two surveyed localities, Bac Ninh and Thanh Hoa, it was shown that the localities have clearly participated in implementing the Law on Prevention and Control of Tobacco Harms (PCTHTL). The Steering Committee for the Program on Prevention and Control of Tobacco Harms was established in both provinces, with the Department of Health as the standing agency, coordinating with relevant sectors to carry out specific activities from propaganda, inspection, handling of violations to advising on the issuance of documents directing implementation.

In Bac Ninh, over the past 2 years, the Health sector has coordinated to organize inspections and supervision of the implementation of tobacco harm prevention and control activities, organizing inspections and supervisions at 45 agencies and units; inspecting law enforcement at 30 units. The Department of Industry and Trade coordinated with the Market Management Department to inspect, detect, and handle 12 cases, impose administrative fines of 361 million VND, and destroy more than 142,000 electronic cigarette products, worth more than 5.4 billion VND.

As of December 2024, in industrial parks, there are 12 projects producing and processing components related to electronic cigarettes, not complete electronic cigarette products. These products are 100% exported abroad, not consumed in the Vietnamese market. From November 30, 2024, the province and enterprises have also seriously implemented Resolution 173/2024/QH15 of the National Assembly, related to electronic cigarettes and heated tobacco products.

Similarly, in Thanh Hoa, PCTHTL activities have also been widely deployed from the provincial to grassroots levels, with coordinated propaganda and inspection of tobacco business activities. In the two years 2023 - 2024, Thanh Hoa handled 93 violations, imposed fines of VND 287 million, and destroyed goods worth more than VND 138 million.

Need "solution" to implement policy promptly

Although localities have achieved many positive results in the work of preventing and combating the harmful effects of tobacco, there are still many difficulties and obstacles in the implementation of legal regulations on tobacco harm prevention and control such as: Controlling the business and advertising of tobacco products, especially new tobacco products on the internet; Coordination in inspection and examination of the trade and import of smuggled tobacco products; Sanctions related to tobacco, management and punishment of smoking in public places... While these products are increasingly popular among young people, especially through online sales channels, social networks, and disguised advertising, the current legal framework is still not clear enough to effectively control them.

Resolution 173/2024/QH15 of the National Assembly has marked a clear shift when it officially banned the production, trading, import, and use of e-cigarettes and similar products from 2025 to protect public health. However, for the resolution to come into effect, a system of specific legal documents along with a clear implementation mechanism is needed.

Reality in localities shows that enforcement officers, inspection forces, market management forces, etc. are also confused in identifying regulated subjects and applying appropriate sanctions.

In order to address the smuggling of these products and ensure feasibility when making decisions on penalties, representatives of Thanh Hoa province's leaders proposed that the Government issue legal documents regulating the business activities of electronic cigarettes, heated tobacco products, shisha, etc. Along with that, increasing special consumption tax and expanding the area of ​​health warnings on packaging are also proposed as strong measures to reduce the appeal of new tobacco products in the community, especially among young people.

As a locality with many industrial parks and spare parts manufacturing activities, despite efforts in tobacco control, Bac Ninh still faces many difficulties. Therefore, Mr. Le Xuan Loi - Vice Chairman of Bac Ninh Provincial People's Committee proposed that the National Assembly and the Government soon issue specific instructions to clearly distinguish between enterprises producing spare parts for export and the implementation of a complete ban on the production and sale of new cigarettes and e-cigarettes in the country.

Thanh Ha

Source: https://baophapluat.vn/can-them-cong-cu-chinh-sach-de-thuc-thi-hieu-qua-viec-cam-thuoc-la-dien-tu-thuoc-la-nung-nong-post545130.html