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

Geek Bar Launches New Pulse Models in the U.S.: Thermochromic Design, Core Specs Intact
Geek Bar Launches New Pulse Models in the U.S.: Thermochromic Design, Core Specs Intact
U.S. vape retailer VapeSourcing has listed GEEKBAR Pulse 15K/25K Thermal Edition products, currently marked “Coming Soon.” Both models retain the core Pulse-series configuration but adopt a thermochromic, color-changing shell; the Pulse 15K is flagged as GEEKBAR’s first device to use this finish.
Nov.04 by 2FIRSTS.ai
China’s E-Cigarette Exports Rise to USD 1.098 Billion in October 2025, Up 23.7% Year-on-Year as U.S. Demand Surges
China’s E-Cigarette Exports Rise to USD 1.098 Billion in October 2025, Up 23.7% Year-on-Year as U.S. Demand Surges
China’s e-cigarette exports reached USD 1.098 billion in October 2025, rising 24.8% month-on-month and 23.7% year-on-year, according to the latest data released by the General Administration of Customs of China. Export concentration increased to 83.11%, with the U.S. market contributing the largest share of monthly growth.
Nov.21 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Al Fakher Parent Company Plans U.S. Listing in 2026 at $1.75 Billion Valuation
Al Fakher Parent Company Plans U.S. Listing in 2026 at $1.75 Billion Valuation
According to Bloomberg, Dubai-based hookah brand owner Advanced Inhalation Rituals (AIR) plans to go public on Nasdaq in the first half of 2026 through a merger with a Cantor Fitzgerald-backed SPAC. The deal values the combined company at USD 1.75 billion under the ticker “AIIR.”
Nov.11
Smoking Rate Drops to 17.9%, Vaping Rate Climbs to 9.3% in South Korea
Smoking Rate Drops to 17.9%, Vaping Rate Climbs to 9.3% in South Korea
The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) released its 2025 Community Health Survey results covering more than 230,000 adults. Traditional cigarette smoking dropped to 17.9%, down 1 percentage point from last year, while e-cigarette use increased to 9.3%, up 0.6 points. Overall tobacco product use stood at 22.1%, a slight decline from 2024 but still 0.5 points higher than 2019.
Dec.08 by 2FIRSTS.ai
South Korea’s National Assembly Passes Law Classifying E-Cigarettes as Tobacco Products with Full Equivalent Regulation
South Korea’s National Assembly Passes Law Classifying E-Cigarettes as Tobacco Products with Full Equivalent Regulation
South Korea’s National Assembly recently passed a comprehensive package of 79 bills that, among other measures, formally classifies liquid vapes — e-cigarette products using nicotine-containing e-liquids — as tobacco products. These products will now be subject to the same taxation, sales restrictions and advertising controls as traditional cigarettes, and the vaping industry in South Korea is expected to face significant adjustments in compliance costs, market access and business strategy.
Dec.03
France’s Finance Committee Rejects 2026 Vaping Tax, Backs Online Sales Ban
France’s Finance Committee Rejects 2026 Vaping Tax, Backs Online Sales Ban
France’s National Assembly Finance Committee voted to oppose the government’s plan in Article 23 of the 2026 budget bill to tax vaping products at €0.30/10mL for low-nicotine liquids and €0.50/10mL for others (with typical bottles priced €5–€7). Lawmakers arguing against the tax said vaping is less harmful than combustible cigarettes and can aid cessation; others warned of a gateway effect for youth and sustained nicotine dependence.
Oct.23 by 2FIRSTS.ai