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.

References:

[1] Laos to tighten regulation on e-cigarettes

Also Read:

[1] Laos Government Plans to Classify E-cigarettes as Addictive Substances

#Legislation #E-cigarettes #Asia #E-cigarette #E-cigarettes and 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

2Firsts Special Report｜China’s Nicotine Pouch Manufacturing Goes Global: A Supply Chain Reshaped and Redirected

China’s nicotine pouch manufacturing expanded rapidly in 2024 but cooled sharply in 2025. Meanwhile, global demand continued to grow strongly, with multinational tobacco companies increasing investment, prompting some Chinese manufacturers to accelerate the shift of production to Southeast Asia and Europe.

Nov.21

UK Peer Seeks to Weaken “Generational Smoking Ban” – Report Reveals Discussions with BAT Executive Relative

Lord Strathcarron, a member of the UK House of Lords, has admitted to discussing the government’s Tobacco and Vapes Bill with a relative who holds a senior role at British American Tobacco (BAT). He is advocating amendments to scrap the bill’s core “generational smoking ban” provision, raising questions of potential conflict of interest.

Oct.27

Over 179,000 E-Cigarettes Destroyed in Samut Prakan as Thai Government Tightens Enforcement

Thailand’s Office of the Prime Minister, led by Minister Santi Piyatat, has destroyed nearly 179,000 confiscated e-cigarettes and accessories worth 33 million baht (approx. USD 1,020,000) as part of the government’s ongoing campaign for a “Vape-Free Thai Society.”Officials said the action demonstrates Thailand’s strict enforcement of anti-vaping laws and its commitment to protecting youth and public health.

Nov.27 by 2FIRSTS.ai

Russia Plans to Allow Regional Vape Sales Bans from September 2026

Russia’s Ministry of Finance (Минфин) has drafted amendments to an existing licensing bill that would grant regional authorities the power to ban retail sales of vapes and nicotine liquids from September 1, 2026, to September 1, 2031, RBC reported. Stores violating the ban would lose their tobacco retail licenses.