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

Australian Border Force: Illegal tobacco and vaping products worth A$1 billion in tax revenue gap intercepted in Q2 2025
Australian Border Force: Illegal tobacco and vaping products worth A$1 billion in tax revenue gap intercepted in Q2 2025
Australian Border Force intercepts over $1 billion worth of illegal tobacco and e-cigarettes, totaling 467+ tons. Leading enforcement against smuggling.
Feb.05 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Special Report | Breeze and Glas Seek White House Review as FDA Advances Flavored ENDS Guidance
Special Report | Breeze and Glas Seek White House Review as FDA Advances Flavored ENDS Guidance
Breeze Smoke and Glas, Inc. have separately requested White House review under Executive Order 12866 as the FDA advances draft guidance on flavored ENDS (RIN 0910-ZC78). The guidance aims to clarify evidentiary standards under the statutory “appropriate for the protection of public health” (APPH) framework. The parallel filings highlight industry concern over regulatory predictability, particularly as Glas’s PMTA review status has recently drawn market attention.
Special Report
Mar.03
FDA Issues Draft PMTA Guidance for Flavored E-Cigarettes, Maintaining Higher Evidence Bar for Fruit and Sweet Flavors
FDA Issues Draft PMTA Guidance for Flavored E-Cigarettes, Maintaining Higher Evidence Bar for Fruit and Sweet Flavors
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on March 9 released a draft guidance outlining its current thinking on premarket tobacco product applications (PMTAs) for flavored electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS). The document reiterates that fruit, candy, dessert, and other sweet-flavored e-cigarettes present a “significant public health risk” to youth and therefore face a higher evidentiary burden if manufacturers seek marketing authorization.
Mar.10 by 2FIRSTS.ai
U.S. Company Seeks Cancellation of “Lost Mary” Vape Trademark
U.S. Company Seeks Cancellation of “Lost Mary” Vape Trademark
North Carolina hemp provider JLT Imports Inc. has filed suit in California federal court seeking cancellation of the “Lost Mary” vape trademark held by Chinese company Imiracle (HK) Ltd.
Mar.30 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Estonia warns of a booming illicit vape market, raising risks for minors and legitimate trade
Estonia warns of a booming illicit vape market, raising risks for minors and legitimate trade
Estonia’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Tax and Customs Board are urging the government to address a thriving illicit vape market that undermines fair competition and makes vapes easily accessible to minors.
Feb.04 by 2FIRSTS.ai
BAT Japan to set up a VELO special booth at an outdoor culture market, showcasing a product launched on Feb. 2
BAT Japan to set up a VELO special booth at an outdoor culture market, showcasing a product launched on Feb. 2
BAT Japan announced it will support and sponsor the outdoor culture market “DIGGIN DEEP 2026 DAIKANYAMA,” held on March 7 and 8, 2026 at Daikanyama T-SITE, and will set up a special booth for the oral tobacco brand VELO at the venue. The booth will feature product displays and trial experiences, including the new product Velo Smooth Peppermint Medium, which went on sale on Feb. 2.
Mar.05 by 2FIRSTS.ai