AsemconnectVietnam - The Ministry of Industry and Trade has just issued Document No. 3581/BCT-VP notifying the Minister's direction on strengthening the management of tobacco business activities.

On May 20, 2025, the Ministry of Industry and Trade announced the direction of the Minister of Industry and Trade to continue strictly implementing the provisions of the Law on Prevention and Control of Tobacco Harms and realizing the goals of the National Strategy on Prevention and Control of Tobacco Harms according to Decision No. 568/QD-TTg dated May 24, 2023 of the Prime Minister.
Accordingly, many synchronous solutions will be strongly implemented from the central to local levels, focusing on perfecting legal policies, tightening market management, strengthening inspection and handling of violations, and promoting legal propaganda and education.
Specifically, the Minister assigned the Department of Industry to preside over and coordinate with relevant units to study and develop a Decree to replace Decree No. 67/2013/ND-CP on tobacco trading, in the direction of simplifying administrative procedures, supplementing regulations suitable for new generation tobacco, and consolidating current guiding documents. In addition, the Department will also develop a tobacco trading plan aiming to reduce domestic consumption and limit community access.
For the Department of Domestic Market Management and Development, the Minister requested to strengthen inspection and supervision of compliance with the law in tobacco trading; strictly handle violations. At the same time, coordinate with functional forces to prevent and combat smuggling, trading in smuggled, counterfeit or unknown origin tobacco.
The Department will also promote propaganda and legal education activities for traders, consumers and state management officials; deploy the application of information technology in management; organize training and capacity building for law enforcement forces.
On the side of the Legal Department, the Minister assigned the task of presiding over and working with relevant units to review and complete the system of legal documents on tobacco production and trading, ensuring consistency, synchronization, cutting unnecessary procedures and strengthening wholesale and retail control, especially for young people.
Industry and Trade Newspaper and Industry and Trade Magazine will promote information and communication on the harmful effects of tobacco, legal regulations and the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), introducing typical examples of good implementation of tobacco harm prevention and control.
The National Competition Commission is required to promote the dissemination of laws on consumer rights protection and competition laws in the tobacco sector; detect and handle acts of unfair competition and competition restriction in accordance with regulations.
The Import-Export Department will preside over the revision and supplementation of Circular No. 37/2013/TT-BCT on the import of cigarettes and cigars to submit to the Minister for promulgation in the second quarter of 2025; at the same time, strengthen the control of tobacco import and trading activities at duty-free shops to prevent commercial fraud.
For the Department of Industry and Trade of provinces and cities, the Ministry requests the direction of market management forces to strengthen inspection and handling of violations; at the same time, coordinate to propagate the law on business and prevention of tobacco harms; organize periodic preliminary and final reviews, emulation and rewards.
Vietnam Tobacco Corporation is also assigned to coordinate with the Department of Industry to develop production and business plans to reduce domestic consumption, especially for vulnerable groups; coordinate to develop projects to support tobacco growers and workers in the industry; at the same time, promote digital transformation and technology application in the entire production - distribution - business chain.
CK
Source: VITIC/ haiquanonline.com.vn