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

From myblu to Zone: Imperial Brands Refocuses NGP Strategy in HY26
From myblu to Zone: Imperial Brands Refocuses NGP Strategy in HY26
mperial Brands’ HY26 results point to a more selective NGP transition. The company is using cash flow from traditional tobacco to fund targeted investments in modern oral nicotine, heated tobacco and reusable vaping systems. Its decision to exit the legacy myblu vaping business in the U.S., while expanding Zone nicotine pouches. In Europe, Imperial’s NGP growth is being driven by a multi-category portfolio including blu, Pulze and Zone/Skruf.
Special Report
May.12
Revised Tobacco Business Act to Take Effect in South Korea, Banning Online Sales of Liquid Vapes
Revised Tobacco Business Act to Take Effect in South Korea, Banning Online Sales of Liquid Vapes
South Korea’s Ministry of Health and Welfare will implement a partial revision of the Tobacco Business Act on April 24. The scope will expand from products made with “tobacco leaves” to all products manufactured with natural or synthetic nicotine. Synthetic nicotine liquid e-cigarettes, which had previously been treated as industrial products and were freely sold and advertised online, will from April 24 be subject to the same regulations as ordinary tobacco products.
Apr.23 by 2FIRSTS.ai
 China’s E-Cigarette Exports Reached About USD 903 Million in March 2026, Up 4.4% Year on Year
China’s E-Cigarette Exports Reached About USD 903 Million in March 2026, Up 4.4% Year on Year
According to the latest country-level data released by China’s General Administration of Customs, China’s e-cigarette-related exports totaled about USD 903 million in March 2026, up about 4.4% from roughly USD 865 million a year earlier. The United States, the United Kingdom and Germany remained the top three destinations, while the top 10 markets together accounted for about 72.2% of total exports.
Apr.21 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Mexico’s Coahuila State Passes Vape Ban Covering Non-Nicotine Devices and Heated Tobacco Products
Mexico’s Coahuila State Passes Vape Ban Covering Non-Nicotine Devices and Heated Tobacco Products
The Congress of Coahuila in Mexico has approved a ban on the sale, use and promotion of vapes and similar devices, citing their harmful effects on health and the environment.
Mar.31 by 2FIRSTS.ai
EVO NXT 2026 Opens in Prague as Global NGP Industry Gathers for Two-Day Event
EVO NXT 2026 Opens in Prague as Global NGP Industry Gathers for Two-Day Event
2026 — EVO NXT 2026 officially opened today in Prague, bringing together manufacturers, brand owners, retailers, and decision-makers from across the global next-generation products (NGP) industry. As the event’s official media partner for the fourth consecutive year, 2Firsts is reporting on site, tracking key developments across the exhibition floor, forum agenda, and broader industry discussions.
Apr.17 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Poland Seizes 223,688 Disposable Vapes Without Required Excise Marks
Poland Seizes 223,688 Disposable Vapes Without Required Excise Marks
Poland’s Customs and Tax Service in Łódź carried out an inspection at a property near Zgierz and seized 223,688 disposable e-cigarettes without the required excise markings.
Apr.07 by 2FIRSTS.ai