HCMC – Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has called on ministries and relevant agencies to enhance the regulation of e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products (HTPs), citing increasing concerns about their adverse health effects, especially among youth.
The PM’s directive comes in response to a noticeable rise in the usage of these products among young people. To combat this trend, he has tasked the Ministry of Health with launching an awareness campaign to educate both organizations and individuals about the potential harms of e-cigarettes and HTPs.
The ministry is also expected to research and propose new solutions for more effective management of these products.
In addition to health-related measures, the PM has instructed the Ministry of National Defense to ensure that border guards intensify patrols to prevent the smuggling of e-cigarettes and HTPs. Similarly, the Ministry of Public Security has been directed to focus on dismantling criminal networks that may be involved in adulterating e-cigarette liquids with illicit drugs.
The Ministry of Trade is told to increase domestic market monitoring by conducting regular inspections and addressing issues related to the smuggling, storage, and transportation of e-cigarettes.
In early April, Minister of Health Dao Hong Lan emphasized the need to ban these new forms of tobacco during a session organized by the National Assembly’s Social Affairs Committee, which discussed the state’s responsibility in managing e-cigarettes and HTPs. She highlighted the significant health risks posed by electronic cigarettes and heated tobacco products, particularly to young people.
