BACKGROUND AND IMPLEMENTATION CHALLENGES: There was a decline in cigarette smoking rates among both adults and adolescents over the last decades. However, a growing concern over the rapid rise in the use of e-cigarettes (ENDS), heated tobacco products (HTPs). The current Tobacco Control Law lacks a clear definition for these new tobacco products, especially ENDS and HTPs, leaving a gap that tobacco companies have exploited by lobbying the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT) to allow the legal circulation of these products in the market.
INTERVENTION OR RESPONSE: Since 2019, MOIT proposed [LT1] for revisions to Decree 67 in order to introduce a legal framework regulating ENDS and HTPs. This draft decree has gone through multiple versions, with extensive debates involving the Ministry of Health (MOH). To counteract this lobbying effort and secure support for a ban, a strong partnership was formed, led by the Ministry of Health and other partners. MOH identified key allies and opponents and developed strategic advocacy plans. They worked closely to unify the voices of various ministries and influencing policy makers, child right associations. MOH consistently advocated for a ban at every policy roundtable and workshops. Additionally, a network of journalists was created to dispel myths and raise public awareness in support of the ban. A school tour for raising the support of parents and students held critically before, during the policy campaigns.
RESULTS AND IMPACT: On November 30, 2024, Vietnam National Assembly passed a Resolution to comprehensively ban the production, trade, import, storage, transportation, and use of ENDS and HTPs, effective from 2025
CONCLUSIONS: Strengthening the capacity of the leading Ministry and other stakeholders, policy champions, to garner support is essential. Key non health sector partnerships, collaborative actions, evidence-based advocacy, resilience are all critical components of success. Cultivating policy champions and ensuring the issue is prioritized on policy agenda are equally important for driving policy change.