Vietnam’s Health Ministry Recommends Stricter Action Against Vaping Sales

In view of the serious harm vaping products pose to young people, Vietnam’s Ministry of Health has recommended stricter action against the sale of such products.
On May 5, the ministry sent a notice to the Ministry of Education and Training, the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Ministry of Information and Communications, and the Ministry of Public Security, stating that products such as vaping devices, heated tobacco products, and shisha have appeared on the Vietnamese market in recent years.

These products have not yet obtained import, business, or sales licenses, yet their sale and promotion—especially online sales and marketing—are very common. In addition, because of their wide variety of styles and many appealing flavors, these products are highly attractive to young people, and user numbers are rising rapidly.
Deputy Minister of Health Tran Van Thuan said the most dangerous issue is that a small number of people have mixed stimulants and new types of drugs into vapes, making it easy for users to suffer poisoning and putting their lives at risk.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO)’s 2019 survey findings, the vaping rate among people aged 15-17 in Vietnam was 2.6%. The 2022 student tobacco use survey showed that the vaping rate among students aged 13-15 was 3.5%.

WHO also stated that there are currently as many as 20,000 flavoring additives used in various vaping products. Although the health effects of these flavorings have not yet been fully studied, limited data indicate that most flavorings may pose health risks with long-term use.