Viet Nam has officially taken a hardline stance against e-cigarettes. Amid the growing popularity of e-cigarette use, particularly among young people, the government has moved in the opposite direction.
Through Decree No. 371/2025, the government will impose strict penalties on e-cigarette users. Fines will range from VND 3–5 million (approximately US$120–200), with mandatory confiscation and destruction of devices.
The regulation does not target users alone. It also applies to parties that provide space for such activities. Owners or operators of premises that allow e-cigarette use on their property may face fines of VND 5–10 million (approximately US$200–400).
For organizations and business entities, all fines are doubled.
Strict Regulation from Upstream to Downstream
Under the regulation, the Viet Namese government defines e-cigarettes as electronic devices consisting of a device unit, a liquid container, and e-liquid.
Heated tobacco products, meanwhile, are defined as electronic devices combined with specially processed tobacco, whether in forms resembling conventional cigarettes or in other formats.
The tightening of controls does not stop at consumption. Revisions to the Investment Law that take effect on March 1, 2026, also add the production and trade of e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products to the list of prohibited business activities.
In effect, the restrictions are comprehensive, covering the entire chain from production to consumption.
Growing Youth Use of E-cigarettes Sparks Concern
Behind the policy lies a troubling trend. E-cigarette use in Viet Nam has risen sharply in recent years, particularly among adolescents. Between 2015 and 2020, prevalence among those aged 15 and above increased from 0.2% to 3.6%.
Among students aged 13–17, the figure jumped from 2.6% in 2019 to 8.1% in 2023. Even more concerning, an early survey across 11 provinces and cities found that 4.3% of girls aged 11–18 were using e-cigarettes in 2023.
These products are often perceived as a “safer” alternative to conventional cigarettes. Health data, however, suggest otherwise. E-cigarette liquids contain dozens of chemical compounds, including toxic substances detected in the aerosol inhaled by users.
Their high nicotine content makes them highly addictive and has been linked to a range of serious health conditions, from cancer and cardiovascular and respiratory disorders to mental health problems.
In 2023 alone, 1,224 people in Viet Nam were hospitalized due to the effects of e-cigarettes and related products.
With this policy, Viet Nam has become the sixth country in Southeast Asia and one of 43 countries worldwide to ban e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products. The message is clear: trends must not override the protection of public health, especially for younger generations.
