Casually vaping in public may become a thing of the past as Vietnam authorities stand firm on the country’s vape ban. Photo credit: Võ Văn Tiến, Pexels.
Despite facing one of the world’s most serious tobacco-related public health crises, Vietnam has moved to outlaw the sale and use of nicotine vaping products. The decision, passed by the country’s National Assembly in November 2024, comes at a time when nearly half of Vietnamese men smoke and tobacco use is linked to more than 100,000 deaths annually, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
Public health advocates worldwide have expressed concern over the ban, which contrasts sharply with harm-reduction strategies adopted by countries such as the UK, Sweden, and New Zealand—nations where vaping is permitted and even encouraged as a less harmful alternative to traditional smoking.
In Vietnam, however, the move is being viewed by critics as a decision heavily influenced by external pressure and internal economic interests. Some speculate that the ban may protect Vinataba, Vietnam’s state-owned tobacco corporation, which holds a dominant share of the domestic cigarette market. Others point to the influence of global anti-tobacco advocacy networks, particularly those funded by American billionaire philanthropist and anti-nicotine zealot Michael Bloomberg.
Bloomberg Philanthropies, through its Initiative to reduce tobacco use, has channeled millions of dollars into countries like Vietnam to support tobacco control efforts. However, critics argue that these efforts often promote abstinence-only messaging and oppose harm-reduction tools such as e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products, despite growing scientific evidence supporting their use in smoking cessation.
International examples offer compelling contrasts. In Sweden, widespread use of snus, a smokeless nicotine pouch, has helped drive smoking rates to some of the lowest levels globally. Japan has seen cigarette sales plummet thanks to the popularity of heat-not-burn products. New Zealand, which regulates vaping while encouraging smokers to switch, is on track to reduce its smoking rate below five percent.
Meanwhile, Vietnam’s approach aligns more closely with countries such as Brazil, India, and Mexico—nations that have implemented broad vaping bans in recent years, writes Marc Gunther in Filter. In each of these countries, underground markets have rapidly filled the void left by legal sales. In Mexico, for instance, criminal groups are reportedly entering the illicit vape trade.
In Vietnam, officials have justified the ban by raising concerns over youth access and health risks. But public health experts argue that the policy disregards mounting evidence showing vaping to be significantly less harmful than combustible tobacco. The UK’s National Health Service estimates that people using vapes are twice as likely to quit smoking compared to those using traditional nicotine replacement therapies like patches or gum.
Still, Vietnamese health officials remain firm in their stance. At a government seminar in October 2024, a representative from the Ministry of Health stated that there was no scientific proof that e-cigarettes reduce harm or help smokers quit—a claim sharply disputed by researchers and international health bodies.
Angela Pratt, WHO’s representative in Vietnam, supported the decision, emphasizing that new tobacco and nicotine products “are not safe” and stating that restrictions are necessary to protect youth. However, her comments, particularly that there is “no evidence” vapes aid smoking cessation, have drawn criticism from harm reduction advocates and researchers.
Dr. Jonathan Foulds, a professor of public health at Pennsylvania State University, called Vietnam’s policy “public health ignorance at its worst,” warning that restricting access to safer nicotine alternatives may lead to increased smoking rates.
Organizations funded by Bloomberg Philanthropies, such as Vital Strategies and the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, praised the ban. Yet, they have also faced scrutiny for overlooking the needs of adult smokers—an estimated 16 million in Vietnam alone—who might benefit from safer alternatives.
As Vietnam enforces its new policy, many observers fear that prohibition will not only fail to reduce tobacco use but will drive demand into unregulated markets, where quality control, age limits, and health information are absent.
The broader debate surrounding vaping continues to polarize public health experts. While some emphasize precaution and potential unknown risks, others argue that focusing solely on abstinence ignores practical solutions for current smokers.