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.

References:

[1] Laos to tighten regulation on e-cigarettes

Also Read:

[1] Laos Government Plans to Classify E-cigarettes as Addictive Substances

#Legislation #E-cigarettes #Asia #E-cigarette #E-cigarettes and 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

South Korea Implements Public Tobacco Harmfulness Management Program, Including 22 Harmful Components in E-Cigarettes

South Korea’s Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety convened the first 2025 Tobacco Harmfulness Management Policy Committee, finalizing new lists of harmful substances for cigarettes, heated tobacco products, and liquid e-cigarettes to be publicly disclosed from next year.

Nov.14 by 2FIRSTS.ai

Czech Republic to Tighten E-Cigarette Rules in December, Ban Candy Flavours and Cannabinoids

Czech Republic will tighten regulations on the sale and labelling of e-cigarettes from December. Manufacturers will have seven months to sell existing stock, after which candy-flavoured or cannabinoid-containing e-cigarettes will be banned. A survey by the National Institute of Public Health (SZÚ) found that nearly 14% of the population used e-cigarettes in 2024 — almost triple the rate five years earlier.

Nov.18 by 2FIRSTS.ai

Vietnam Passes Amended Investment Law Banning E-Cigarette and Heated Tobacco Businesses

On December 11, 2025, Vietnam’s National Assembly passed the amended Investment Law, officially banning investment and business activities related to e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products. The new law also adds several high-risk and socially sensitive sectors to the list of prohibited business activities, including narcotics, wildlife trade, human organs and embryos, sex work, human cloning, fireworks, debt collection, and trade of national treasures.

Dec.11 by 2FIRSTS.ai

JTI UK Expands Nordic Spirit Line, Launches 17mg Nicotine Pouch

JTI UK has launched Nordic Spirit’s highest-strength variant—Frosty Mint Max, delivering 17mg of nicotine per pouch—and introduced a refreshed, darker packaging design for the brand.