Vietnam's health Ministry has recommended a strict crackdown on the sale of e-cigarettes because of the serious harm they cause to young people.

The Vietnamese Ministry of Health issued a notice to the ministries of Education and Training, industry and Trade, information and media and Public Security on May 5, saying that products such as e-cigarettes, heated cigarettes and water pipes have appeared in the Vietnamese market in recent years.

These products are not currently licensed for import, trade and sale, but their sale and promotion, especially online, are widespread. In addition, due to the variety of styles and attractive flavors, these products attract the attention of young people and their users are growing rapidly.

Vietnam's vice Minister of Health, Tran Van Sohn, said the biggest danger is that a small number of people are adding stimulants and new drugs to e-cigarettes, which can easily poison users and put their lives at risk.

According to a 2019 World Health Organization (WHO) survey, the use rate of e-cigarettes among 15- to 17-year-olds in Vietnam was 2.6 percent. According to the 2022 Student Tobacco Use Survey, e-cigarette use among 13-15 year olds was 3.5%.

There are currently up to 20,000 flavor additives in e-cigarettes, and while the health effects of these flavorings have not been fully studied, limited data suggests that most may pose health risks when used over a long period of time, the WHO said.