Laos Government Plans to Classify E-cigarettes as Addictive Substances

Regulations by 2FIRSTS.ai
Nov.30.2023
Laos Government Plans to Classify E-cigarettes as Addictive Substances
Laos plans to include e-cigarettes in its list of addictive substances due to the increasing prevalence among youth.

According to a report by Xinhua News Agency on November 30th, the Laotian government plans to amend and supplement certain provisions of the drug prevention and control law, including the inclusion of e-cigarettes in the list classified as addictive substances and precursors.

 

During the sixth regular session of the ninth Lao National Assembly, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Security Vilay Lakhamfong emphasized that e-cigarettes, which are one of the emerging issues of social concern, have not yet been included in Laos' list of prohibited items.

 

Therefore, e-cigarettes will soon be added to the list of products that include banned addictive substances and precursors.

 

According to a report from the Ministry of Health of Laos in October, tobacco-related diseases were the leading cause of death in the country in 2019, accounting for approximately 65% of all deaths. It is estimated that tobacco annually causes hundreds of thousands of chronic illnesses and results in the deaths of 6,700 people.

 

The use of tobacco among young people in Laos, particularly e-cigarettes, is steadily growing and becoming increasingly prevalent. As a result, the Ministry of Health expresses concern that without timely measures to restrict it, the country will soon face a new wave of e-cigarette addiction, which is equally harmful as traditional tobacco.

 

We welcome news tips, article submissions, interview requests, or comments on this piece.

Please contact us at info@2firsts.com, or reach out to Alan Zhao, CEO of 2Firsts, on LinkedIn


Notice

1.  This article is intended solely for professional research purposes related to industry, technology, and policy. Any references to brands or products are made purely for objective description and do not constitute any form of endorsement, recommendation, or promotion by 2Firsts.

2.  The use of nicotine-containing products — including, but not limited to, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, nicotine pouchand heated tobacco products — carries significant health risks. Users are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions.

3.  This article is not intended to serve as the basis for any investment decisions or financial advice. 2Firsts assumes no direct or indirect liability for any inaccuracies or errors in the content.

4.  Access to this article is strictly prohibited for individuals below the legal age in their jurisdiction.

 

Copyright

 

This article is either an original work created by 2Firsts or a reproduction from third-party sources with proper attribution. All copyrights and usage rights belong to 2Firsts or the original content provider. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or any other form of unauthorized use by any individual or organization is strictly prohibited. Violators will be held legally accountable.

For copyright-related inquiries, please contact: info@2firsts.com

 

AI Assistance Disclaimer

 

This article may have been enhanced using AI tools to improve translation and editorial efficiency. However, due to technical limitations, inaccuracies may occur. Readers are encouraged to refer to the cited sources for the most accurate information.

We welcome any corrections or feedback. Please contact us at: info@2firsts.com

Texas college data show rapid shifts in top vaping brands, with Geek Bar/Vape surging by 2025
Texas college data show rapid shifts in top vaping brands, with Geek Bar/Vape surging by 2025
A short communication in Drug and Alcohol Dependence examined changes in the most commonly used nicotine vaping brands among Texas college students from 2023 to 2025. The study analyzed 6,049 students aged 18–25 who reported past-30-day nicotine vaping across three repeated cross-sectional spring surveys. The report found that use of Esco Bar, Elf Bar, JUUL, and Puff Bar declined from 2023 to 2025, while Geek Bar/Vape increased.
Feb.27 by 2FIRSTS.ai
UK OPSS launches vape safety campaign focusing on use, charging and disposal
UK OPSS launches vape safety campaign focusing on use, charging and disposal
The UK Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) published information on March 4, 2026, launching a new campaign to raise awareness among young people about safety issues linked to using, charging and disposing of vapes.
Mar.06 by 2FIRSTS.ai
China’s E-cigarette Exports Reach $1.694 Billion in Jan–Feb 2026; U.S., UK, Germany Lead, Japan Rises to Fourth
China’s E-cigarette Exports Reach $1.694 Billion in Jan–Feb 2026; U.S., UK, Germany Lead, Japan Rises to Fourth
China Customs Administration released e-cigarette export data for January and February 2025, showing varied monthly performances in 2026.In January, the export value was $940 million, a decrease of 6.2% compared to January 2025's $1.02 billion. In February, the export value was $754 million, a 51.2% increase compared to February 2025's $498 million.
Mar.20 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Austria to Tighten Sales Rules for Nicotine Pouches and E-Liquids From April 1
Austria to Tighten Sales Rules for Nicotine Pouches and E-Liquids From April 1
Austria will introduce new sales rules for nicotine products from April 1, 2026. Under a reform of the tobacco law passed in December 2025, nicotine pouches will in future be sold only through tobacco shops, while e-liquids will be sold only through tobacco shops and licensed specialist stores. Other points of sale will no longer be permitted to sell these products.
Mar.30 by 2FIRSTS.ai
KT&G to cancel 10.866 mln treasury shares, about 9.5% of shares outstanding
KT&G to cancel 10.866 mln treasury shares, about 9.5% of shares outstanding
KT&G said it plans to cancel all treasury shares it holds, totaling 10,866,189 shares, representing about 9.5% of shares outstanding, in line with Korea’s third amendment to the Commercial Act requiring companies to cancel repurchased shares within one year. The company also disclosed progress on its shareholder-return plan and multiple agenda items for next month’s shareholders meeting.
Feb.26
Sesh Launches 200-Pouch Refill Bag, Expanding Retail Unit Size in U.S. Nicotine Pouch Market
Sesh Launches 200-Pouch Refill Bag, Expanding Retail Unit Size in U.S. Nicotine Pouch Market
According to a LinkedIn post published by Sesh CMO Josh Metz on February 25, 2026, Sesh Products has introduced a 200-pouch nicotine pouch refill bag sold with a reusable metal can. In a U.S. MO market dominated by 20-pouch plastic cans, the product offers a larger retail unit size. The company lists a standard price of USD 49.99, with a uniform 15% discount currently applied, bringing the price to USD 42.49.
Innovation
Feb.25