25 September 2024
By CongThuong
Vietnam risks becoming an outlier if it continues to ban heated tobacco products and e-cigarettes, while many countries such as Australia and Thailand have had to adjust their tobacco control policies due to increased use and smuggling.
Experts and former WHO officials recommend that bans only increase pressure on governments and that countries should adopt stricter management measures instead of strict bans.
Vietnam can look to the experiences of other countries in the region to develop effective and practical policies that protect public health and promote the investment environment.
Therefore, building policies based on scientific evidence and real-life data and applying the principle of the majority of countries that have successfully managed heated tobacco products will help Vietnam avoid the stereotype of “if you can’t manage, then ban” or being an outlier in some specific industries, such as tobacco.