Myanmar announces ban on e-cigarettes, covering imports/exports, sales, possession and use

Feb.26

Myanmar’s Ministry of Health said it has received cabinet authorization to enforce an e-cigarette ban under the Essential Supplies and Services Law, listing prohibited acts including the import, export, sale, possession, storage, carrying, distribution and use of vaping products.

Key points

Myanmar’s Ministry of Health has announced a ban on the import, export, sale, possession and use of vaping products, following cabinet authorization.
The ban will be enforced under the Essential Supplies and Services Law.
The scope covers e-cigarettes, vape accessories and electronic shisha products, and applies to activities including import, export, sale, possession and use.
A Department of Public Health official said the move is based on rising youth use and that the health risks should not be ignored.

2Firsts, Feb. 26, 2026

According to Vaping360, Myanmar has banned the sale, import and possession of vaping products. The prohibition was announced on Feb. 20 by the Ministry of Health, which has received authorization from the cabinet.

Reports said the ban will be enforced under Myanmar’s Essential Supplies and Services Law. The law allows the government to take regulatory measures against products deemed to affect public health and public welfare.

The report noted that the law prohibits the “importation, exportation, sale, possession, storage, carrying, distribution, use and consumption” of e-cigarettes, vape accessories and electronic shisha products.

The report also said Myanmar (formerly known as Burma) previously had no specific law regulating vapes, although the military-controlled government has at times seized shipments of vaping products entering the country.

Kyaw Kan Kaung, an official at the Department of Public Health, said the new law is based on growing youth use and claimed that e-cigarettes are as dangerous as combustible cigarettes.

According to the Tobacco Atlas, Myanmar’s adult smoking rate among people aged 15 and above was 12.3% (overall, 2025), while the rate among male residents aged over 15 was 23.4% (2025). The smoking rate among boys aged 10–14 was 14.29% as of 2023, according to the same source.

The report added that cigarettes will remain legal.

It compared regulatory approaches across Southeast Asia, noting that countries in the region have adopted policies ranging from restrictions on sales/imports to penalties for possession and use, and that regulations vary widely.

Malaysia announced last autumn that it would reverse the liberalization of its vaping laws and would soon reimpose a ban;
Brunei and East Timor prohibit the sale of vapes but do not penalize individuals for possession or use;
Myanmar is set to join the countries with the toughest laws in Southeast Asia, banning not only sales but also personal possession and use;
Cambodia, Laos, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam have similar laws;
Myanmar’s western neighbors India and Bangladesh have also banned e-cigarettes.

Cover image source: tobaccoreporter

References:

[1] Myanmar Bans Sale and Possession of Vapes

Also Read:

[1] Singapore Health Minister Ong Ye Kung receives SEATCA award for tobacco control and anti-vaping push

[2] UNODC Report: Etomidate-Laced E-Cigarettes Spreading Across Southeast Asia, Targeting Teens

[3] Word Vape Show Insights｜ Divergent Brand-Overseas Routes: UK Brands Target the Middle East, Southeast Asian Brands Land in Africa, and US Hits Struggling for Exports?

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