Experts propose lifetime ban on tobacco sales for individuals born from 2010 onward in Vietnam

During a recent group discussion regarding a draft law amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Law on Prevention and Control of Tobacco Harms, National Assembly delegate Pham Trong Nhan from Ho Chi Minh City stated that focus should be directed toward two main goals: preventing new smokers and assisting existing smokers in quitting.

However, he noted that the draft law still leaves a regulatory gap when protecting young adults as they reach maturity.

Citing data from the Ministry of Health, Nhan pointed out that while the smoking rate among males aged 15–19 stands at 5.46 percent, it jumps sharply to 32.6 percent among those aged 20–24.

This indicates that the risk of initiating smoking remains high after age 18, when young people are legally permitted to purchase tobacco.

An impact assessment previously conducted by the Ministry of Health estimated that a ban on tobacco sales to individuals born on or after January 1, 2010, could prevent 6.55 million men from becoming addicted to smoking.

According to Nhan, 20 out of 23 government members approved this proposal; however, the provision was not included in the draft law currently under consideration.

He urged the drafting committee to clarify the reasons for this omission and suggested considering delegating implementation to the government no later than 2030.

In the immediate term, he emphasized adjusting the responsibilities of sellers, refraining from penalizing users, and combining these efforts with smoking cessation support.

In early October, the Vietnam Association of Emergency Critical Care Medicine and Medical Toxicology, alongside Bach Mai Hospital in Hanoi and the Vietnam Cancer Association, submitted proposals to build a tobacco-free young generation.

The strategy shifts from focusing primarily on preventing children from smoking to controlling tobacco supply generationally.

Dr. Nguyen Trung Nguyen, director of the Poison Control Center at Bach Mai Hospital, highlighted that Vietnam ranks among the top 15 countries worldwide with the highest rate of adult male smokers, standing at 41.1 percent.

Approximately 84,500 people in Vietnam die each year from direct smoking, with an additional 18,800 deaths attributed to secondhand smoke exposure, according to policy consultation documents from Bach Mai Hospital.

In 2022 alone, economic losses resulting from 35 tobacco-related diseases reached VND108.7 trillion (US$4.2 billion), equivalent to 1.14 percent of the national GDP.

Because nicotine is highly addictive, quitting smoking is exceptionally difficult, often requiring multiple attempts.

"If we only focus on public awareness campaigns, preventing children from smoking, and supporting cessation for existing addicts, a fresh stream of new smokers will continue to emerge," Dr. Nguyen stated.

"Therefore, alongside cessation support, robust measures are needed to stop young people from picking up the habit as they transition into adulthood."

According to Dr. Nguyen, the proposed generational ban targets this exact issue. Individuals born on or after January 1, 2010, would be permanently barred from purchasing tobacco throughout their lives, even after reaching age 18. Those born prior to this cutoff date would remain subject to current regulations.

Lessons from abroad

To implement the policy, experts propose strict enforcement at the retail level, requiring sellers to verify the purchaser's year of birth using ID cards and electronic ID systems, supported by inspection mechanisms and penalties for violations.

The focus remains on preventing unauthorized tobacco sales rather than penalizing youth for smoking.

International experience shows that generational tobacco policies have seen both implementation and policy shifts.

For instance, the UK passed legislation prohibiting the sale and proxy purchase of tobacco for anyone born on or after January 1, 2009, while the Maldives applied a similar ban for those born from 2007 onward, taking effect in November 2025.

Experts emphasized that alongside long-term health benefits, Vietnam must carefully evaluate legal feasibility, the risk of expanding illicit tobacco markets, retailer obligations, and overall enforcement costs.

The core question of the proposal is whether it is possible to prevent an entire generation from accessing tobacco from the outset, rather than simply restricting sales to minors under 18.

Ultimately, the policy's success will depend on legislative design, enforcement capabilities, and accompanying support measures.