Viet Nam has introduced strict regulations imposing fines for the use and possession of e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products, with penalties reaching up to $190 under a new government decree.
The nationwide measures represent Viet Nam's aggressive stance against vaping and alternative nicotine products, as authorities seek to curb what they view as a growing public health threat particularly among young people.
Vietnamese officials implemented the regulations following recommendations from the World Health Organization, which has advocated for comprehensive bans on e-cigarettes in countries without established regulatory frameworks for these products.
The decree establishes penalties not only for using e-cigarettes in public spaces but also for mere possession, marking one of the most stringent anti-vaping policies in Southeast Asia and signaling zero tolerance toward these devices.
Health authorities justify the crackdown by citing concerns about nicotine addiction, unknown long-term health effects, and the rapid proliferation of vaping among Vietnamese youth, despite limited domestic research on e-cigarette usage patterns and harm reduction potential.
