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

Exclusive: China Tobacco Launches Locally Made MODEN FREE Nicotine Pouches in Indonesia
Exclusive: China Tobacco Launches Locally Made MODEN FREE Nicotine Pouches in Indonesia
2Firsts exclusively reports that China Tobacco Zhejiang Industrial has launched MODEN FREE nicotine pouches in Indonesia. The locally manufactured product is sold through Sixhill, a next-generation tobacco channel under CFU Group, at about $1.80 per 18-pouch can. The launch moves China Tobacco’s nicotine pouch activity beyond trade-show displays and testing into local production and public retail.
Jul.16
2Firsts Interview | InterTabac 2026 Adapts to a More Complex Tobacco and Nicotine Market
2Firsts Interview | InterTabac 2026 Adapts to a More Complex Tobacco and Nicotine Market
As InterTabac 2026 approaches, Sabine Loos, Managing Director of Westfalenhallen Unternehmensgruppe, tells 2Firsts that global tobacco trade fairs are evolving beyond product display. With new nicotine categories, shifting regulation and more complex supply chains reshaping the industry, InterTabac is positioning itself as a platform for market insight, regulatory discussion and global business connection.
Special Report
Jul.02
UK HMRC Plans 30,000 Retail Enforcement Actions as Illegal Tobacco and Vape Sellers Face Tougher Crackdown
UK HMRC Plans 30,000 Retail Enforcement Actions as Illegal Tobacco and Vape Sellers Face Tougher Crackdown
The UK government has announced that HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) will carry out more than 30,000 interventions targeting businesses and retail premises during the 2026-2027 financial year. The actions will focus on tax fraud, illegal goods sales and businesses involved in unlawful activities through retail channels. The government said illegal tobacco and illegal vape sales remain areas of concern. The move shows that UK enforcement against illegal nicotine products is expanding from import and supply channels toward retail-level oversight, alongside the upcoming introduction of the Vaping Products Duty.
Jul.24
Indonesia’s BNN Pushes Total Vape Ban as Health Ministry Tightens Tobacco Packaging Rules, Putting $40 Billion Industry at Risk
Indonesia’s BNN Pushes Total Vape Ban as Health Ministry Tightens Tobacco Packaging Rules, Putting $40 Billion Industry at Risk
Indonesia is entering a new phase of debate over vape and tobacco regulation. The National Narcotics Agency (BNN) has proposed a total vape ban, with some lawmakers supporting stronger restrictions. At the same time, the Health Ministry is advancing tobacco and nicotine regulations under Government Regulation No. 28/2024, including measures such as plain packaging and product controls. Tobacco and vape industries have warned that tighter rules could affect a sector worth around $40 billion, supporting about 6 million jobs and contributing significant tax revenue.
Jul.27
Virginia Tightens Vape and Tobacco Retail Enforcement, With Fines Up to $15,000 Per Unlisted Product
Virginia Tightens Vape and Tobacco Retail Enforcement, With Fines Up to $15,000 Per Unlisted Product
A new Virginia law that took effect on July 1, 2026, requires retailers to obtain permits to sell liquid nicotine, vape and tobacco products, while directing Virginia ABC to conduct inspections and verify that stores sell only products listed in the state directory.
Jul.20
PMI to Launch IQOS in Argentina by End-2026 After Regulatory Shift, Targeting About 7 Million Smokers
PMI to Launch IQOS in Argentina by End-2026 After Regulatory Shift, Targeting About 7 Million Smokers
Philip Morris International (PMI) has confirmed plans to bring its IQOS heated tobacco device to Argentina by the end of 2026, after the Argentine government lifted long-standing restrictions and created a regulatory framework for heated tobacco, e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches.
News
Jun.26 by 2Firsts Perspectives