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

Bloomberg-Backed Campaign Wins as Denver Votes to Ban Flavored Nicotine
Bloomberg-Backed Campaign Wins as Denver Votes to Ban Flavored Nicotine
Denver voters have upheld the city’s ban on flavored nicotine products—including fruity vapes and menthol cigarettes—with 72% in favor during the Nov. 4 election. The “Yes on 310” campaign, backed by $5 million from Michael Bloomberg, celebrated the result as a major victory for youth health. Opponents, mostly local vape shop owners, warned of economic harm and called the spending imbalance unfair.
Nov.05 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Decatur, Alabama Passes New Vape Tax: US$0.05–0.10 per mL, Effective October 1
Decatur, Alabama Passes New Vape Tax: US$0.05–0.10 per mL, Effective October 1
The Decatur, Alabama, City Council voted to approve an ordinance imposing a volume-based tax on e-cigarette products: US$0.10 per milliliter for sales within city limits, and US$0.05 per milliliter for sales or deliveries outside city limits but within the city’s police jurisdiction. The ordinance is slated to take effect on October 1, 2025, though the actual start of collection may be set later by a companion resolution.
Sep.16 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Russian Duma Committee Moves to Embed Local Vape Prohibitions
Russian Duma Committee Moves to Embed Local Vape Prohibitions
Fedot Tumusov, First Deputy Chair of the Duma Health Committee, called vapes the “most dangerous and least controlled” nicotine product and said restricting them should be a priority. While refining a government bill, the committee proposes granting regions the power to ban vape sales. Committee Chair Sergey Leonov said the illicit e-cig market exceeds 60%, with new licensing aimed at cleaning up the sector.
Oct.30 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Altria Q3 2025 Earnings Report: Net Revenue of $6.072 Billion and Launch of on!PLUS in the U.S.
Altria Q3 2025 Earnings Report: Net Revenue of $6.072 Billion and Launch of on!PLUS in the U.S.
Altria reported Q3 2025 net revenue of $6.072 billion, a 3.0% year-on-year decline. Adjusted EPS increased 3.6% to $1.45. The company expanded its share repurchase program to $2 billion and launched the on!PLUS nicotine pouch in Florida, North Carolina, and Texas.
Oct.31 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Dutch Ministry of Finance reports: Dutch tobacco tax revenue stagnates, mainly due to cross-border consumption shift
Dutch Ministry of Finance reports: Dutch tobacco tax revenue stagnates, mainly due to cross-border consumption shift
A report released by the Dutch Ministry of Finance indicates that tobacco tax increases have failed to boost fiscal revenue. The previously projected €7 million in revenue from a 5 cent per pack tax increase has now fallen to zero, primarily due to cross-border cigarette purchases. The current excise tax on cigarettes is €7.81 per pack, with no further increases planned. Tobacco tax revenue is projected to reach €2.5 billion in both 2025 and 2026.
Sep.24 by 2FIRSTS.ai
InterTabac 2025 Insights|Brands like NYSM and KIWI are promoting small-sized e-cigarettes, none of which feature screens
InterTabac 2025 Insights|Brands like NYSM and KIWI are promoting small-sized e-cigarettes, none of which feature screens
Inter Tabac 2025, held in Dortmund, Germany, took place from September 18th to 20th. 2Firsts observed that some booths, including those of NYSM, KIWI, Mevol, and FLERBAR, showcased small e-cigarettes. These devices were smaller or thinner than traditional disposable or cartridge-based e-cigarettes and lacked screen functionality.
Sep.23 by 2FIRSTS.ai