TobaccoReporter logo

Tag: Laos

  • Laos Vape Ban Crackdown Affects 759,000 Online Members

    Laos Vape Ban Crackdown Affects 759,000 Online Members

    The Lao Ministry of Health, with support from WHO and Meta, shut down 288 online e-cigarette stores with more than 759,000 members, intensifying enforcement of the country’s 2021 ban on vaping products. Officials hailed the move as a public health success, but industry voices warn that consumers are being left without regulated alternatives.

    “Digital platforms must not become safe spaces for harmful products,” said Dr. Timothy Armstrong, WHO Representative to Lao PDR. “We are proud that these recent efforts have significantly reduced the visibility and availability of these products.”

    Critics argue the crackdown pushes demand underground, forcing adult users to rely on unregulated black-market channels where product quality and safety cannot be guaranteed.

  • Laos to Enforce Tough Penalties on Tobacco Firms Over Graphic Warning Violations

    Laos to Enforce Tough Penalties on Tobacco Firms Over Graphic Warning Violations

    Beginning August 15, Laos will strictly penalize tobacco companies and retailers that fail to comply with graphic warning label regulations on cigarette packaging, the Ministry of Health announced. The rules, in effect since May 2024, require cigarette packs to carry one of 10 approved graphic health warnings. Despite a 180-day compliance window, companies have delayed implementation by over a year.

    Penalties will include fines up to LAK 50 million ($2,300), product seizures, and potential license suspensions. Repeat offenders risk legal action and full business closure.

    Laos is the third ASEAN nation to mandate graphic warnings, aiming to combat high smoking rates. Authorities say stricter enforcement is key to protecting public health, especially among youth.

  • Laos Adopts Plain Packaging

    Laos Adopts Plain Packaging

    Image: alexlmx

    Laos will require cigarette manufacturers to sell their products in generic packaging starting Dec. 5, 2024. The new law restricts the use of logos, colors, brand images or promotional information on tobacco product packages. Only brand names and product names are allowed, displayed in a uniform color and style.

    “This is significant progress when it comes to saving lives and safeguarding health against the harms of tobacco promotion and use,” said Saia Ma’u Piukala, director of the World Health Organization’s regional office for the western Pacific, in a statement. “This milestone builds on Laos’ complete ban on tobacco advertisement, promotion and sponsorship and world-leading 2021 ban of e-cigarettes and similar products.”

    Laos spends an estimated LAK3.6 billion ($162.35 million), or 2.3 percent of its gross domestic product, annually treating smoking-related illnesses, according to the WHO.

    “This is a commendable step toward protecting public health from tobacco, but there is further work to be done,” said Timothy Armstrong, WHO representative to Laos. “Each year sees more than 6,700 people in Laos—more than 17 per day—lose their lives due to tobacco use.

    “The most impactful action is to increase tobacco taxes and make tobacco products less affordable. Currently, Laos has the lowest tobacco tax rate in the ASEAN region. Increasing tobacco taxes, and removing tax exemptions for tobacco companies, will save lives and generate millions of dollars for development priorities.”

    According to the WHO, plain packaging eliminates tobacco packaging as a promotional tool and prevents the use of misleading design techniques that suggest some products are less harmful.

    “The benefits of health warnings are numerous,” said WHO Laos tobacco control expert Douangkeo Thochongliachi. “They remind smokers and non-smokers about the harmful effects of tobacco; a regular smoker sees a warning message thousands of times per year. Plain packaging reinforces this by making health warnings even more prominent.”

  • World Bank Urges Laos to Increase Taxes

    World Bank Urges Laos to Increase Taxes

    Image: Skórzewiak

    The World Bank has urged Laos to raise its value-added tax rate and increase taxes on cigarettes and alcohol to help address high inflation and currency depreciation, according to Radio Free Asia.

    Alex Kremer, the World Bank’s representative in Laos, said in a report last month that the government should spend more money on healthcare and education to set a foundation for future development.

    Laos’ economy has struggled with rapidly rising prices, low foreign investment and public debt that could increase to 125 percent of GDP in 2024. The country’s debt reached $18.7 billion by the end of 2022. Over half the debt is owed to China.

    Kremer said the debt has destabilized the country’s macroeconomy and slowed economic growth.