Lao Ministry of Health & WHO collaboration sees online e-cigarette stores with 759,599 members taken offline

11 November 2025, Vientiane, Lao PDR: Recent enforcement efforts in Lao PDR have seen 288 online stores promoting and selling e-cigarettes, with a membership of 759,599 and higher, taken offline as a result of joint action by the Ministry of Health, with support from the World Health Organization and Meta, the parent company of Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram.

In 2021, amendments to the Lao National Tobacco Control Law introduced a total ban on the import, distribution, sale and use of e-cigarettes and related products, making Lao PDR one of just over 35 countries globally with such comprehensive legislation.

“This joint action delivers both a notable disruption to the online e-cigarette trade and sends a strong message that Lao PDR will not tolerate the illicit sale of products that harm our people's health,” said H.E. Dr. Phayvanh Keopaseuth, Vice Minister of Health. “We will continue to work with related ministries to monitor and address harmful products wherever they are sold and strongly appreciate the collaboration of partners in protecting Lao’s youth and strengthening our enforcement efforts.”

“Since the ban on e-cigarettes under the Lao National Tobacco Control Law four years ago, the Government has worked to raise public awareness and ensure enforcement,” said Dr. Phonepraseuth Sayamoungkhoun, Director General of the Lao Ministry of Health’s Department of Hygiene and Health Promotion.

“These efforts have reduced sales in physical stores, but many sellers have moved online, especially to social media platforms. To address this challenge, the Ministry of Health has collaborated with WHO and Meta to identify, report, and remove e-cigarette stores on Facebook and Instagram in violation of Lao law and Meta’s own standards.”

E-cigarettes are often incorrectly marketed as a safer alternative to traditional tobacco products or cigarettes. However, these products are highly addictive and harmful to health, and can cause long-term damage especially for young people whose brains are still developing. E-cigarettes contain many toxic substances, including nicotine, which can lead to addiction and increase the risk for future tobacco use.

“This is a powerful example of what can be achieved when governments, technology companies and public health organizations work together,” said Dr. Timothy Armstrong, WHO Representative to Lao PDR. “Digital platforms must not become safe spaces for harmful products. We are proud that these recent efforts have significantly reduced the visibility and availability of these products.”

“Digital platforms must not become safe spaces for harmful products. We are proud that these recent efforts have significantly reduced the visibility and availability of these products.”

“From legislative reform to awareness raising to strengthening multi-sector enforcement, for many years WHO has supported Lao PDR with its ongoing efforts to protect public health from the harms of tobacco and e-cigarettes – and we remain committed to doing so. We cannot be complacent though – the industry is powerful and we must be on guard against insidious tactics that may be employed in the future.”

The enforcement action comes as Lao PDR introduces new efforts to safeguard health from tobacco and e-cigarettes, with the updating of the Prime Minister’s Decree on Tobacco Control Penalties, which introduces penalties for the importation, distribution, sale and use of e-cigarettes; smoking in restricted areas; selling tobacco to minors or involving them in its sale; tobacco advertising and promotion; online tobacco and e-cigarette sales; and offering or accepting tobacco industry sponsorship.

^{Photo Credit: WHO / Enric Catala}