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

WHO MOP4 Focuses on Justice and Prosecution to Combat Illicit Tobacco Trade

The Fourth Meeting of the Parties (MOP4) to the Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products opened in Geneva on November 24, 2025. With 60 Parties participating, the meeting focuses on strengthening legal action and international cooperation to combat illicit trade, which accounts for about 11% of the global tobacco market and costs governments billions in lost tax revenue.

Nov.25 by 2FIRSTS.ai

Russian Nizhny Novgorod Deputies Propose Regional Power to Ban Vape Sales

The Nizhny Novgorod Legislative Assembly regional lawmakers have prepared a resolution proposing amendments to federal law that would grant Russian regions the authority to ban vape sales locally. The draft, developed by the assembly’s economic committee, was published this week.

Oct.24 by 2FIRSTS.ai

BAT Korea Launches Year-End Promotion for “glo hyper” as Demand for Odorless Heated Tobacco Rises

BAT Rothmans has announced a year-end promotion for its “glo hyper” heated tobacco series in response to growing consumer demand for odorless devices during the cold season. As indoor activity rises, more smokers are shifting to heated tobacco products that produce less smell and ash. Government data show HNB sales grew 8.3% last year, accounting for 18.4% of the tobacco market.

Nov.12 by 2FIRSTS.ai

Selangor preparing regulatory policy that may gradually prohibit vape use

Selangor is drafting a policy paper outlining its regulatory direction for electronic cigarette products, including the possibility of gradually prohibiting vape use. The move aligns with the Tobacco Product Control Act for Public Health 2023 (Act 852) and aims to strengthen enforcement and youth health education.