HCMC – The Ministry of Health has written to the relevant ministries and agencies asking them to raise public awareness of the harmful effects of e-cigarettes and urging tight regulation of the sale, purchase and trading of e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products.

Electronic cigarettes, heated tobacco products and shisha have become increasingly available, especially on social media platforms, although these products are not authorized for import, business and trading on the domestic market.

Statistics from the World Health Organisation in 2019 showed that 2.6% of students aged 15 to 17 in Vietnam vaped e-cigarettes. Additionally, a 2022 survey revealed that 3.5% of those aged 13-15 used e-cigarettes.

Healthcare facilities nationwide have reported many cases of students being poisoned with nicotine and liquids used in those products.

The local authorities need to boost coordination with the Ministry of Health and relevant units to raise awareness among officials, employees and the public over the harmful effects of electronic cigarettes and heated tobacco products.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Information and Communications, the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Ministry of Public Security will conduct inspections and handle cases of buying, selling, transporting, storing and marketing e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products.