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

Mexico’s ENCODAT 2025 finds smoking rate falls as vaping rises
Mexico’s ENCODAT 2025 finds smoking rate falls as vaping rises
Results from Mexico’s ENCODAT 2025 indicate a structural shift in tobacco and nicotine use: past-month combustible tobacco use among the general population (ages 12–65) declined to 15.1%, down from 17.6% in 2016, while past-month e-cigarette use increased to 2.6%, up from 1.1%.
Dec.25 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Mexico to impose an absolute ban on the commercialization, import and sale of vapes from Jan. 16, 2026
Mexico to impose an absolute ban on the commercialization, import and sale of vapes from Jan. 16, 2026
Mexico will enforce an absolute ban on the commercialization, import and sale of vapes and e-cigarettes from January 16, 2026, under a reform published in the Official Journal of the Federation (DOF) amending the General Health Law.
Jan.16 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Malaysia’s Cabinet Agrees in Principle to Nationwide Vape Ban
Malaysia’s Cabinet Agrees in Principle to Nationwide Vape Ban
Malaysia is accelerating efforts toward a nationwide ban on vaping, with the Health Ministry aiming to finalise the policy by 2026. Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad said the Cabinet has already agreed in principle to move toward a ban, stressing that the issue is no longer whether vaping will be banned, but when.
Dec.16 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Energy Marketers of America Backs White House Crackdown on Illicit Vape Shops, Urges Cleanup of ‘Gray Area’ Market
Energy Marketers of America Backs White House Crackdown on Illicit Vape Shops, Urges Cleanup of ‘Gray Area’ Market
The Energy Marketers of America (EMA) has publicly endorsed the White House’s enforcement campaign against illicit vape shops, saying it will help address the regulatory “gray area” that has emerged since 2020 due to delayed product approvals. EMA noted that a large volume of unauthorized imported disposable e-cigarettes worth about $86.5 million has been seized and called for stronger, more localized enforcement efforts to ease the burden on compliant convenience retailers.
Dec.04 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Virginia appeals to the Fourth Circuit over partial block on flavored vape ban enforcement
Virginia appeals to the Fourth Circuit over partial block on flavored vape ban enforcement
Virginia has asked the Fourth Circuit to overturn a district court order that partially blocked enforcement of the commonwealth’s flavored vape ban. In a notice, the state told U.S. District Judge David J. Novak it seeks to upend his December ruling that Virginia’s Chapter 23.2 statute is preempted by the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act and the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act.
Jan.12 by 2FIRSTS.ai
China Business Journal Reports: Multiple New E-Cigarette Policies Enter Public Consultation Phase in China, Covering Capacity Control and Credit Management
China Business Journal Reports: Multiple New E-Cigarette Policies Enter Public Consultation Phase in China, Covering Capacity Control and Credit Management
China Business Journal, citing a review of policy documents released by the State Tobacco Monopoly Administration in early 2026, said China’s latest e-cigarette rules target credit-based regulation, capacity controls and national standards revisions.Alan Zhao, co-founder of 2Firsts, said tighter oversight will speed consolidation, curb noncompliance and reduce destructive competition.
Jan.12 by 2FIRSTS.ai