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

Thailand’s National Health Commission Office Reviews Two Years of E-Cigarette Control Efforts and Plans Further Recommendations
Thailand’s National Health Commission Office Reviews Two Years of E-Cigarette Control Efforts and Plans Further Recommendations
Thailand’s National Health Commission Office and partner agencies held a public policy forum on March 13 to review results from the past two years of efforts to protect children and youth from e-cigarettes and to prepare recommendations for submission to the National Health Commission.
Mar.17 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Shanghai releases 2025 smoke-free white paper: smoking incidence at designated smoke-free venues falls to 12.6%
Shanghai releases 2025 smoke-free white paper: smoking incidence at designated smoke-free venues falls to 12.6%
Shanghai released its 2025 White Paper on Smoking Control in Public Places at a city tobacco control meeting on March 5. The paper reports a 12.6% smoking incidence in legally designated smoke-free venues, down 0.4 percentage points from 2024, and says 98.2% of residents support a full indoor smoking ban.
Mar.05
PMI’s Portuguese unit to launch nicotine pouches in 2026 after tax clarification
PMI’s Portuguese unit to launch nicotine pouches in 2026 after tax clarification
After Portugal included nicotine pouches in the excise-tax (IEC) framework for tobacco and nicotine products, PMI’s Portuguese subsidiary Tabaqueira confirmed it will begin selling nicotine pouches in the country this year. The company is preparing a soft launch in two stores ahead of wider distribution, as the tax and regulatory position becomes clearer.
Mar.10 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Exclusive | EU Confirms End of Tobacco Policy Expert Group, Explores New Cooperation Structures as TPD Revision Continues
Exclusive | EU Confirms End of Tobacco Policy Expert Group, Explores New Cooperation Structures as TPD Revision Continues
2Firsts reporting shows that, as the European Union moves toward a future evaluation of its tobacco legislation, the Tobacco Policy Expert Group—long a key platform for coordination among Member States—formally concluded its mandate at the end of 2025. At the same time, the European Commission is exploring new cooperation structures to address the resulting institutional gap.
Jan.22
Russia dismantles illegal vape liquid plant near Moscow; goods worth about $13 million seized
Russia dismantles illegal vape liquid plant near Moscow; goods worth about $13 million seized
Russian authorities say they have dismantled an illegal vape-liquid production site in the Moscow region, seizing four production lines, large quantities of components and finished goods, and substantial cash. The Interior Ministry estimated the seized products’ value at about 1 billion rubles (≈$13 million) and said the operation ran around the clock, producing up to 75,000 units per shift.
Feb.10 by 2FIRSTS.ai
South Dakota Senate Committee Advances Bill Tightening Nicotine Retail Rules
South Dakota Senate Committee Advances Bill Tightening Nicotine Retail Rules
South Dakota Senate Bill 221 (SB 221), which seeks to regulate the retail sale of nicotine products, has passed the Senate Health and Human Services Committee with a unanimous 7–0 recommendation. The bill was significantly amended, expanding from three to nine pages and shifting its focus from vapor products alone to all nicotine products.
Regulations
Feb.22