Rising Trend of Teenagers Using E-cigarettes in Vietnam

Regulations by 2FIRSTS.ai
Dec.07.2023
Rising Trend of Teenagers Using E-cigarettes in Vietnam
According to Vietnamese media, an increasing number of students are using e-cigarettes, despite health concerns.

According to recent reports by Vietnamese media, local government officials have observed a concerning trend of young teenagers wearing school uniforms while openly smoking e-cigarettes. The scene is often marked by a cloud of smoke surrounding them.

 

Suspect Nguyen Chunsheng (Lê Anh Thơ) purchased e-cigarettes and added drugs to them before selling them in the market. According to the Vietnamese Ministry of Health, the proportion of students and young people using e-cigarettes in Vietnam is increasing. However, both e-cigarettes and traditional cigarettes contain nicotine. E-cigarettes consist of low-temperature e-liquid, with approximately 16,000 flavorings available to choose from. Various components in these flavorings can have health implications and may potentially be mixed with other substances such as drugs and marijuana.

 

Due to the harm caused by e-cigarettes, the Ministry of Health has recommended banning this type of product in order to gradually reduce the supply and demand for tobacco. The ban on e-cigarettes is also aimed at protecting the health of the community, especially that of young people. As a result, the Drug Crime Investigation Bureau (C04, Ministry of Public Security) has successfully cracked a case involving an individual who was mixing drugs into e-cigarette vaporizer pens and advertising and selling them openly on social media, targeting students and college students directly.

 

In this case, C04 has filed charges and arrested Nguyen Chunsheng (28 years old, residing in Hoang Mai District, Hanoi) and five others to investigate their involvement in the illegal drug trade. Nguyen Chunsheng has been identified as the mastermind behind the operation. He learned the production methods online, purchased chemicals, aromatic chewing gum, synthetic marijuana, and e-cigarette devices from other countries, and brought them back to Hanoi. He hired individuals to manufacture the drugs, injecting the drug-containing aromatic chewing gum into e-cigarettes and tobacco, and then designed his own trademarks and packaging.

 

Deputy Director C04 has stated that the reason e-cigarettes and similar items attract teenagers is due to their bright colors and appealing flavors. Specifically, they target children between the ages of 12 and 13, in the 2nd and 3rd grade. Children of this age range are naturally curious, eager to explore, and have a desire to showcase their individuality. Major General Ruan Mingguang added, "The Criminal Forensic Institute has conducted a review and found five types of drugs, mostly marijuana e-liquid, ketamine, and methamphetamine.

 

Brigadier General Ruan Mingguang has stated that individuals who use these drugs will experience neurological excitation, hallucinations, and may even die from poisoning. In line with their assigned duties and tasks, Bureau C04 continues to crackdown on various disguised drug production lines, including e-cigarettes. Additionally, they have joined forces with the Ministry of Education to organize awareness campaigns in schools.

 

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

JTI Makes Third Bet on South Korea as Ploom AURA Enters a Market Dominated by lil and IQOS
JTI Makes Third Bet on South Korea as Ploom AURA Enters a Market Dominated by lil and IQOS
Japan Tobacco International is stepping up its heated tobacco push in South Korea with Ploom AURA. Since its official launch in April 2026, the device's limited First Edition and Glacier White version have sold out, while distribution has expanded across Seoul, Incheon, Gyeonggi Province and airport duty-free channels. The rollout marks JTI's third major attempt to build a stronger heated tobacco position in South Korea, following Ploom TECH in 2019 and Ploom X Advanced in 2024. At the group level, JT plans to invest about ¥800 billion, approximately $5 billion, in reduced-risk products from 2026 through 2028, with heated products and Ploom identified as its primary investment priority.
Aug.14
BAT New Categories Revenue Rises 18% in H1 2026 as Broad Portfolio Offers More Ways to Win—and Lose
BAT New Categories Revenue Rises 18% in H1 2026 as Broad Portfolio Offers More Ways to Win—and Lose
British American Tobacco’s New Category revenue rose 18% at constant rates in the first half of 2026. Nicotine-pouch brand Velo expanded rapidly, while Vuse recovered as U.S. enforcement against illicit e-vapor products strengthened. Heated-tobacco platform glo remained under pressure, and cigarettes continued to provide most of the group’s profit and cash. Compared with PMI and JT, BAT has more routes to growth—but also greater regulatory, investment and execution risks across its broader portfolio.
BAT
Jul.30
2Firsts Exclusive Analysis | RLX Q2 Revenue Rises 14.8%, Company Takes Control of Western European Distributor and Expands Multi-Category Strategy
2Firsts Exclusive Analysis | RLX Q2 Revenue Rises 14.8%, Company Takes Control of Western European Distributor and Expands Multi-Category Strategy
business accounting for 68.5% of sales. A new controlling investment in a Western European distributor and plans to scale modern oral nicotine pouches point to a broader international strategy spanning channels and multiple product categories.
Special Report
Aug.14
French Vape Distributor Kumulus Vape Yields About 3% as Earnings Growth Stalls
French Vape Distributor Kumulus Vape Yields About 3% as Earnings Growth Stalls
Listed French vape distributor Kumulus Vape will trade ex-dividend on June 26, 2026, and pay an annual dividend of €0.10 per share on June 30, with Simply Wall St saying the payout is covered by profit and free cash flow, while weak earnings growth remains a concern.
Industry InsightMarketNews
Jun.24
InterTabac 2026: First conference program highlights now available online
InterTabac 2026: First conference program highlights now available online
With three months to go before the international tobacco and nicotine industry gathers again in Dortmund, InterTabac, together with NUBIZ and InterSupply, is set to bring around 800 exhibitors from across the globe to eleven exhibition halls. The three events will showcase innovation, market trends and industry networking, while the first conference program highlights are now online, offering trade visitors keynotes, panel discussions and masterclasses to support business decision-making.
Events
Jun.22
UK PM Andy Burnham Shifts Business Rates Policy, Supporting Hospitality While Raising Pressure on Vape Shops
UK PM Andy Burnham Shifts Business Rates Policy, Supporting Hospitality While Raising Pressure on Vape Shops
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s government is adjusting business rates policy to support hospitality businesses while some other sectors, including vape retailers, face higher operating cost pressures. According to Streamline Feed, AJ Bell and other reports, the policy shift reflects a redistribution of business rate burdens as the government seeks to support sectors facing economic pressure. For UK vape shops, the change comes amid a broader regulatory environment shaped by the disposable vape ban, the upcoming Vaping Products Duty and increased compliance requirements.
News
Jul.24