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

2Firsts Insights | From Limited-Edition Frenzy to Interactive Lead-Gen: The 2025 Halloween Shift in Vape Marketing
2Firsts Insights | From Limited-Edition Frenzy to Interactive Lead-Gen: The 2025 Halloween Shift in Vape Marketing
For Halloween 2025, leading vape brands such as HQD and ELFBAR are running overseas social-media engagement campaigns—covering points programs and UGC giveaways with age/region restrictions. Unlike 2024’s wave of themed devices, no brand-new Halloween limited editions have appeared on major U.S. channels this year; only RAZ has restocked last year’s version.
Oct.31 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Australia Leads COP11 Seminars as Exploding Illicit Tobacco Market Raises Questions
Australia Leads COP11 Seminars as Exploding Illicit Tobacco Market Raises Questions
Australia sent a delegation to COP11 in Switzerland and is leading three major seminars to showcase its vape and tobacco control policies. But at home, illicit cigarette sales are skyrocketing amid record-high taxes, drawing criticism from the tobacco industry and prompting doubts over policy effectiveness.
Nov.20 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Altria’s on!PLUS Nicotine Pouches Reportedly Available in U.S.; Users Say They Have Received Orders
Altria’s on!PLUS Nicotine Pouches Reportedly Available in U.S.; Users Say They Have Received Orders
Social media users reported purchasing Altria’s new nicotine pouch, on!PLUS, in the United States. 2Firsts found that the official on! website had temporarily opened online purchase and store locator functions. The product has not received FDA authorization. Around the same time, British American Tobacco (BAT) suspended its unlicensed Vuse One vape launch in the U.S. amid regulatory pressure.
Oct.28 by 2FIRSTS.ai
RELX Launches Guide Dog Partner Program in China, Delivers First 10 Trained Dogs
RELX Launches Guide Dog Partner Program in China, Delivers First 10 Trained Dogs
RLX Technology has launched a RMB 4 million guide dog program in China, delivering the first 10 trained dogs as its RELX brand expands social responsibility efforts amid a nationwide shortage.
Nov.14
Juul’s San Francisco Headquarters May Be Sold as Debt Talks Advance
Juul’s San Francisco Headquarters May Be Sold as Debt Talks Advance
Real estate firm Affinius Capital is in talks to sell the loan tied to Juul’s San Francisco headquarters, with Madison Capital emerging as a potential buyer. If completed, the deal could lead to a change in ownership six years after Juul first acquired the building, signaling continued asset adjustments amid regulatory pressure.
Oct.23
FDA Calls on Retailers to Remove Illegal E-Cigarettes from Shelves, Will Send List of Legal Products to 300,000 Stores
FDA Calls on Retailers to Remove Illegal E-Cigarettes from Shelves, Will Send List of Legal Products to 300,000 Stores
FDA launches national retail compliance initiative to combat illegal e-cigarette sales targeting youth, issuing guidance materials to over 300k retailers.
Oct.08 by 2FIRSTS.ai