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

FDA PMTA Roundtable: Ongoing Comprehensive Coverage by 2Firsts
FDA PMTA Roundtable: Ongoing Comprehensive Coverage by 2Firsts
Feb.11
Singapore sentencing: 17,000+ vape pods seized; man convicted of multiple offences
Singapore sentencing: 17,000+ vape pods seized; man convicted of multiple offences
A 28-year-old man in Singapore was sentenced on Jan 22 after admitting to six offences spanning 2021 to 2024, including possessing vapes and vape pods for sale.
Jan.23 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Rosstandart: packaging and design requirements for vapes to be tightened in early 2026
Rosstandart: packaging and design requirements for vapes to be tightened in early 2026
Rosstandart head Anton Shalaev told TASS that Russia will tighten requirements for the packaging and design of vapes and other electronic nicotine delivery systems in early 2026.
Jan.12 by 2FIRSTS.ai
PMI says Colorado ZYN plant build advances as first pouches hit market in 2025
PMI says Colorado ZYN plant build advances as first pouches hit market in 2025
Philip Morris International (PMI) is investing $600 million to build a ZYN nicotine pouch plant in Aurora, Colorado. While the facility is still under construction, PMI said production started in September 2025 and the first pouches made at the site have already gone to market.
Feb.10 by 2FIRSTS.ai
After Export Tax Rebates Go to Zero: How China’s E-Cigarette Supply Chain Is Being Reshaped, According to 2Firsts Research
After Export Tax Rebates Go to Zero: How China’s E-Cigarette Supply Chain Is Being Reshaped, According to 2Firsts Research
China’s e-cigarette industry is adjusting to a major policy shift. From April 1, 2026, China will scrap the 13% export VAT rebate on e-cigarette products, a move affecting manufacturers centered in Shenzhen. Industry participants told 2Firsts the change is forcing a reassessment of pricing and capacity, with competition shifting toward cash flow resilience, regulatory compliance, and multi-location strategies.
Industry Insight
Jan.16
Product | GEEKBAR Adds Two High-Puff Devices to Its Website: Clio Platinum 50K Goes on Sale in the U.S., SOMAX 80K Expands to the Middle East
Product | GEEKBAR Adds Two High-Puff Devices to Its Website: Clio Platinum 50K Goes on Sale in the U.S., SOMAX 80K Expands to the Middle East
Vape brand GEEKBAR has listed two products on its official website—the Geek Bar Clio Platinum 50K and the GEEKBAR SOMAX 80K. The Clio Platinum 50K has already launched across U.S. online retailers, with pricing around US$23.99. The SOMAX 80K is positioned for the Middle East market and had previously been sold in Canada under the name “STLTH X GEEK BAR 80K.”
Feb.09 by 2FIRSTS.ai