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Can you assess the current situation of electronic cigarettes, heating cigarettes and shisha in Vietnam?

Recently, the trading and exchange of electronic cigarette products, heating cigarettes, shisha have been emerging in the market, which are “new generation” cigarettes that are not permitted to be traded in Vietnam. These products enter Vietnam as imported goods carried in hand luggage and smuggling.

Through supervision and management, the above cigarettes are traded, advertised and exchanged publicly on personal accounts and groups, social networks and e-commerce websites.

In addition, there are a number of public shops in the market and in particular, there are some shops near schools to target customers such as children, students and teenagers.

The rampant trading and advertising for the above products breaks the law and significantly affects the health of people, especially children, pupils and students, creating a young generation getting hooked on nicotine, causing the burden of disease, death, social evils and other consequences on society.

How does the market surveillance force manage electronic cigarettes, heating cigarettes and shisha?

Facing the current situation of electronic cigarettes and "new generation" cigarettes, the market surveillance force has enhanced effective implementation of Directive No. 30 / CT- TTg dated 30/9/2014 of the Prime Minister on combating tobacco smuggling.

Electronic cigarettes are traded publicly on some e-commerce websites. Photo: Q.H

To coordinate with the Vietnam Tobacco Association to stick up posters to disseminate the harmful effects of cigarettes in general and the "new generation" cigarettes in particular according to the direction in Document No. 623 / TCQLTT -CNV dated 30/3/2020 of the Directorate of Market Surveillance.

Besides, to strengthen management of information in the city; to implement measures to collect information, monitor and coordinate with competent agencies to inspect, control and strictly handle organizations or individuals that commit to act of trading and offering smuggled "new generation" cigarette products that have unknown origin and are not permitted to be traded in Vietnam, especially organizations or individuals engaging in online trading on social networks and mobile applications. On the other hand, to ask civil servants and employees in the market surveillance force not to buy nor use electronic cigarettes, "new generation" cigarettes (according to the direction of the Directorate of Market Surveillance and Document No. 4023 / BYT- PC dated July 28, 2020 of the Ministry of Health on proposing to strengthen anti-smuggling, inspection, examination and handling of violations of trading and advertising of electronic cigarettes, heating cigarettes and shisha).

Hai Phong Customs seizes 1 million packs of cigarettes counterfeited 555 brand VCN –Cigarettes with counterfeited trademark which were packaged inside two containers had up to 1 million packs. ...

Because these products have recently emerged, there are no specific regulations on the concept of "electronic cigarettes”, but there is the concept of cigarettes and sanctions for violations of cigarettes as banned goods and smuggled goods. Therefore, strengthening measures to manage and prevent the growing spread of these products is an urgent task, not only for the market surveillance force but also other sectors and agencies.