Key Points
- Vietnam’s Ministry of Health is revising tobacco-control legislation.
- The draft would prohibit e-cigarettes and other new tobacco products.
- Restrictions would cover production, trade, transport and use.
- Hanoi has launched a public reporting campaign against illegal vape activities.
- Vietnam’s regulatory approach is expanding from legislation to enforcement.
2Firsts
July 8, 2026
Vietnam is moving to further tighten regulation of e-cigarettes and new tobacco products. The Ministry of Health is advancing amendments to tobacco-control legislation, while Hanoi has strengthened local enforcement against illegal e-cigarette activities.
Vietnam Proposes Ban on E-Cigarettes and New Tobacco Products
According to Vietnamese government information, the Ministry of Health has proposed two major policy directions in the draft amendments.
The first policy focuses on new tobacco products and would prohibit the production, trading, storage, transportation, advertising, promotion, sponsorship and use of e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products and other new tobacco products.
The ministry said the proposal aims to establish a stronger legal framework to address the growth of new tobacco products and increasingly sophisticated marketing approaches.
Vietnam has increased attention on e-cigarettes and emerging nicotine products, with health authorities citing concerns over youth exposure.
Traditional Tobacco Controls Would Also Be Expanded
The proposed amendments would also strengthen regulations on conventional tobacco products.
Measures include:
● banning tobacco product displays at retail outlets;
● expanding smoke-free areas;
● increasing health warning areas on tobacco packaging;
● strengthening responsibilities of relevant agencies.
The Ministry of Health said the revision aims to improve legal consistency and strengthen implementation of tobacco-control policies.
Youth Protection Remains a Key Focus
Vietnamese health authorities said protecting young people is a major objective of the proposed changes.
The ministry said traditional tobacco-control frameworks need to expand to cover new product categories and changing sales and marketing methods.
Supporters of the proposal argue that restricting supply, promotion and use could reduce young people’s exposure to nicotine products.
Hanoi Expands Local Enforcement Through Public Reporting Campaign
Meanwhile, Vietnamese local authorities are strengthening enforcement against illegal e-cigarette activities.
According to local media reports, Hanoi has launched a public campaign encouraging residents to report illegal trading, transportation, production, storage and use of e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products.
The city said combating illegal tobacco, e-cigarette and heated tobacco activities requires participation from government agencies, businesses and residents.
The campaign shows that Vietnam’s approach is expanding beyond legal restrictions toward broader enforcement mechanisms. Alongside legislative changes, local authorities are increasing efforts to monitor illegal distribution channels and market activities.
Industry Impact and Outlook
If approved, the amendments would significantly reshape Vietnam’s e-cigarette and new nicotine product market.
Unlike some markets that regulate products through authorization systems or category-based frameworks, Vietnam’s proposal follows a more restrictive approach by targeting production, sales and use.
For international nicotine companies, the policy shift could affect Southeast Asian expansion strategies. Vietnam has been viewed as a potential emerging market, and a broad ban would require companies to reassess supply chains, distribution strategies and market plans.
Hanoi’s enforcement campaign also shows that Vietnam’s regulatory focus is not limited to legal restrictions, but increasingly includes supply chains, retail channels and market enforcement.
Regionally, Vietnam’s approach highlights diverging regulatory paths across Southeast Asia. While some markets are building authorization-based systems, others are moving toward stronger restrictions focused on youth protection.
The final legislative process and wording of the amended law will be closely watched as an indicator of Vietnam’s future tobacco-control direction.
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Cover Image Vietnam is tightening e-cigarette regulation as the Ministry of Health advances tobacco-law amendments and Hanoi expands enforcement against illegal vape activities. | Source: Vietnam.vn
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