HCMC – Vietnam incurs annual economic losses of around VND108 trillion due to active and passive smoking, according to the Ministry of Health.
This cost, which includes medical expenses and lost productivity from illness and premature death, represents 1.14% of the country’s GDP and is five times higher than annual tobacco tax revenue.
During a workshop on October 29, the Ministry of Health highlighted the rising issue of e-cigarettes. Deputy Minister Tran Van Thuan noted that, despite a decline in adult smoking since the Law on Tobacco Harm Prevention was implemented over a decade ago, Vietnam still has one of the highest smoking rates globally, with nearly 41.1% of adult men smoking.
E-cigarette usage has also surged, particularly among young people. In 2019, around 2.6% of Vietnamese students aged 13 to 17 used e-cigarettes, a figure that climbed to 8.4% by 2023, according to a survey conducted in 11 provinces and cities.
Thuan pointed out that e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products are technically prohibited from import, sale, or advertisement in Vietnam, yet usage continues to grow, particularly among high school students in urban areas. Authorities have reported cases where e-cigarettes have been used to conceal illegal drugs, and hospitals nationwide have treated incidents of poisoning and psychosis linked to e-cigarette use among teenagers.
The Ministry of Health has proposed a resolution to the National Assembly to ban the production, import, sale, and advertising of e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products.
