Main content of the Law on Prevention and Control of Tobacco Harms

The Law on Prevention and Control of Tobacco Harms consists of 5 chapters and 35 articles. Illustrative photo

The law prohibits the following nine groups of behaviors:

1. Manufacturing, trading, importing, storing, transporting fake cigarettes, products designed to have the same form or style as packages or cigarettescigarette; buying, selling, storing, transporting tobacco materials, smuggled cigarettes.

2. Advertising and promotioncigarette; marketing tobacco directly to consumers in any form.

3. Sponsorship from tobacco business organizations and individuals, except for the cases specified in Article 16 of this Law.

4. People under 18 years of age use, buy or sell tobacco.

5. Using people under 18 years of age to buy and sell cigarettes.

6. Selling or supplying tobacco to persons under 18 years of age.

7. Selling cigarettes using automatic cigarette vending machines; smoking or selling cigarettes in prohibited locations.

8. Use of tobacco images in newspapers and publications specifically for children.

9. Encouraging or forcing others to use tobacco.

No smoking in hospitals and schools

The Law stipulates that smoking is completely prohibited indoors and within the premises, including: medical facilities; educational facilities (except for facilities specified in Point b, Clause 2, Article 11); care, nurturing, entertainment and recreation facilities exclusively for children; facilities or areas with high risk of fire and explosion.

Places where smoking is completely prohibited indoors include: workplaces; colleges, universities, academies; public places, except for the cases specified in Clause 1, Article 11 and Clause 1, Article 12 of this Law. Means of public transport where smoking is completely prohibited are cars, airplanes, and trains.

Places where indoor smoking is prohibited but designated areas for smokers are allowed include: airport isolation areas; bars, karaoke bars, dance clubs, hotels and tourist accommodation establishments; public transport such as ships and trains.

Violations of smoking at the above locations will be subject to fines according to Article 23, Decree 176/2013/ND-CP regulating administrative sanctions in the health sector.

1. Warning or fine from 100,000 VND to 300,000 VND for one of the following acts:

a) Smoking in prohibited areas. Smoking on aircraft shall be subject to the provisions on administrative sanctions for violations in the field of civil aviation;

b) Discarding cigarette butts and ashes in the wrong place when smoking in places where smoking is permitted.

2. A fine of between VND 3,000,000 and VND 5,000,000 shall be imposed for one of the following acts:

a) Do not hang signs with the words or symbols "no smoking" in places where smoking is prohibited;

b) Not requiring violators to stop smoking in their premises;

c) Failure to organize, guide, inspect, and urge proper implementation of regulations on smoking ban at locations under management and operation.

3. A fine of between VND 5,000,000 and VND 10,000,000 shall be imposed for one of the following acts in a place designated for smokers::

a) There is no separate room and ventilation system from the non-smoking area;

b) No containers for cigarette butts or ashes;

c) There are no signs in suitable, easily visible locations;

d) No fire prevention and fighting equipment.