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

ITGA Americas Meeting Calls for Balanced Regulation as Tobacco Growers Warn of Pressure on Farms and Legal Supply Chains
ITGA Americas Meeting Calls for Balanced Regulation as Tobacco Growers Warn of Pressure on Farms and Legal Supply Chains
ITGA said tobacco grower organizations from five Americas countries called for stronger regional cooperation and balanced regulation, warning that restrictive policies could pressure farmers and legal supply chains. The article also provides data on major tobacco-producing countries in the Americas.
Special Report
Jun.02
Scotland Plans to Remove Business Rates Relief From Vape Shops From 2027
Scotland Plans to Remove Business Rates Relief From Vape Shops From 2027
The Scottish Government plans to remove business rates relief from vape shops from April 1, 2027, saying the measure is intended to ensure vape retailers contribute to the high street and align rates relief with public health commitments, while the impact on convenience stores that sell vaping products remains unclear.
News
Jun.26 by 2Firsts Perspectives
U.S. Military Nicotine Policy Sparks Debate as Nicotine Pouches Enter Discussion
U.S. Military Nicotine Policy Sparks Debate as Nicotine Pouches Enter Discussion
An opinion article published by Stars and Stripes argued that the Pentagon’s January nicotine clinical guidelines overemphasize abstinence, fail to reflect the reality that about 30% of active-duty personnel use nicotine, and do not address nicotine pouches as potential harm-reduction products.
Industry Insight
Jun.08
Japan’s Heated Tobacco Tax Changes Reshape Consumer Choices, Survey Reveals Impact of Price and Income
Japan’s Heated Tobacco Tax Changes Reshape Consumer Choices, Survey Reveals Impact of Price and Income
A consumer survey by Japanese heated tobacco information platform RELAZO found that rising tobacco prices and planned heated tobacco tax changes may influence smoking decisions among Japanese consumers. The survey covered 49,879 men and women aged 20 to 69 nationwide. It found that around 40% of respondents cumulatively indicated they may consider quitting when a pack reaches ¥600 (approximately US$4.1), while nearly 90% expressed potential quitting intentions at a ¥1,000 (approximately US$6.8) price level. The survey also found significant differences by income level, with lower-income respondents showing greater sensitivity to price increases.
Jul.24
Data|China’s May Vape Exports Fall 10.3%; January–May Shipments Slip 0.9%
Data|China’s May Vape Exports Fall 10.3%; January–May Shipments Slip 0.9%
China’s vape-related exports fell 10.25% year on year in May 2026, marking a second consecutive monthly decline, although exports recovered modestly from April. January-May exports totaled US$4.018 billion, down 0.86% from a year earlier and broadly in line with 2025 levels.
Special Report
Jun.29
FDA Tobacco Proposal Signals Full-Chain Compliance Test for Global E-Cigarette Supply Chains
FDA Tobacco Proposal Signals Full-Chain Compliance Test for Global E-Cigarette Supply Chains
FDA’s proposed foreign tobacco establishment registration and product listing rule remains unfinished, but Accorto told 2Firsts it reflects a shift toward structured oversight similar to medical device and pharmaceutical compliance frameworks. For Chinese and global e-cigarette suppliers, U.S. market access is moving beyond product authorization toward full-chain compliance covering manufacturing, documentation, import control, distribution, retail and marketing discipline.
Special Report
Jul.09