Vietnam Weighs Phased Indoor Smoking Bans at Bars, Karaoke Parlors and Hotels
Under a draft decree accompanying proposed amendments to Vietnam's tobacco control law, bars, karaoke parlors, dance clubs, and hotels could phase out designated indoor smoking areas.
- An option in a draft decree accompanying tobacco law amendments proposes phasing out indoor smoking rooms at bars, karaoke parlors, dance clubs, airport passenger terminals, and hotels, alongside full smoking bans on ships and trains.
- The bill—expected at the National Assembly session opening October 17 with a proposed July 1, 2027 effective date—also bans retail cigarette displays, e-commerce and vending sales, and sales within 100m of schools or medical facilities.
- Building on the November 2024 ban on e-cigarettes and heated tobacco, the draft expands prohibited acts including use and adds nicotine pouches and shisha, while raising pack warning graphics from 50% to 85%.
Vietnam is weighing phased indoor smoking bans at nightlife and hospitality venues in the dossier amending the Law on Prevention and Control of Tobacco Harms. Reviewed by the National Assembly's Committee on Culture and Society ahead of the October 17 session, the bill proposes a July 1, 2027 effective date.
Smoke-Free Venues and Tighter Controls
Indoor venues can currently keep smoking rooms, but a draft decree option would phase in full indoor bans at bars, karaoke parlors, dance clubs, airport passenger terminals, and hotels and tourist accommodations, with roadmaps set in later regulations. Ships and trains would also become smoke-free public transport after the Health Ministry accepted a Public Security Ministry proposal.
The draft bans retail cigarette displays (with government exceptions), e-commerce, electronic, and vending machine sales, direct and affiliate marketing, and sales within 100m of school or medical entrances. Sellers must post under-18 ban signs and verify citizen ID, VNeID, or passports when needed. Expanding the November 2024 ban on e-cigarettes and heated tobacco, the bill bars their production, trading, storage, transport, import, export, advertising, and use, and adds nicotine pouches and shisha. Pack warnings would rise from 50% to 85% front and back with a quitline number and two-year design changes. Health Ministry data (2010–2024) shows secondhand smoke dropped from 73.1% to 44.9% at home, 55.9% to 22.4% at work, and 34.4% to 22.9% on transit.
Since this remains a draft under review, expats frequenting bars, karaoke venues, or hotels should watch the National Assembly vote and follow-up rules, while remembering e-cigarettes are already banned.
Source: VnExpress International.
VnExpress International · 발행일 2026년 10월 14일
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