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

Alabama House Health Committee advances SB9 to restrict vaping in public spaces under Clean Indoor Air Act
Alabama House Health Committee advances SB9 to restrict vaping in public spaces under Clean Indoor Air Act
The Alabama House Health Committee passed Senate Bill 9 on Wednesday to restrict vaping in public areas under the state’s Clean Indoor Air Act. Introduced by Sen. Gerald Allen, SB9 would add vapes—defined as “electronic nicotine delivery systems”—to the forms of “smoking” currently prohibited in enclosed public places.
Feb.13 by 2FIRSTS.ai
SKE Launches E-cigarette Device Recycling Program at Flagship Store in Manchester, UK
SKE Launches E-cigarette Device Recycling Program at Flagship Store in Manchester, UK
SKE launches e-cigarette recycling program in Manchester flagship store, offering gifts to participants. Initiative aims to promote sustainability.
Dec.26 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Michigan Senate Passes Bipartisan Bills Requiring Tobacco Retailer Licensing
Michigan Senate Passes Bipartisan Bills Requiring Tobacco Retailer Licensing
The Michigan Senate has passed bipartisan legislation requiring tobacco retailers to be licensed statewide, aiming to strengthen enforcement against youth tobacco use. The bills introduce regular inspections, tougher penalties for sales to minors, regulation of online and delivery sales, and a ban on flash sales. The legislation now moves to the Michigan House for further consideration.
Dec.26 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Multi-agency crackdown targets vape and convenience stores across Wirral, seizing illegal cigarettes and non-compliant pods
Multi-agency crackdown targets vape and convenience stores across Wirral, seizing illegal cigarettes and non-compliant pods
A multi-agency, intelligence-led enforcement operation took place on January 27, 2026, targeting vape and convenience stores across Wirral, including West Kirby, to disrupt the supply of illegal tobacco and vaping products. Six premises were inspected, with approximately 10,500 illegal cigarettes seized along with vape pods that were not in original packaging or did not meet UK regulatory requirements.
Feb.05 by 2FIRSTS.ai
U.S. Washington State to Bring Synthetic Nicotine Under the Tobacco Tax System, Applying a Unified Tax Starting January 2026
U.S. Washington State to Bring Synthetic Nicotine Under the Tobacco Tax System, Applying a Unified Tax Starting January 2026
Washington State will subject all nicotine-containing products to the Tobacco Products Tax starting January 1, 2026, taxing them at 95% of the selling price. The change covers both tobacco-derived and synthetic nicotine products and requires businesses to report their inventory when the new tax system takes effect.
Dec.29 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Japan Tobacco International Malaysia Appoints Didier Ellena as Managing Director; Predecessor Reassigned to North Asia Role
Japan Tobacco International Malaysia Appoints Didier Ellena as Managing Director; Predecessor Reassigned to North Asia Role
Japan Tobacco International (JTI) Malaysia has appointed Didier Ellena as managing director, effective Jan 5. Ellena has spent more than 30 years with JTI and has held leadership roles across multiple countries and regions. His predecessor, Juliana Mohd Yahaya, will become vice president of sales and marketing for JTI North Asia.
Jan.15 by 2FIRSTS.ai