By Timothy S. Donahue
Top Takeaways:
- Comprehensive ban: Myanmar has prohibited the import, export, sale, possession, and use of e-cigarettes and e-shisha under its Essential Supplies and Services Law.
- Health justification: Officials said the move targets rising youth use and rejected claims that vaping is less harmful than smoking.
- Regional alignment: The decision places Myanmar among countries opting for outright bans on electronic nicotine delivery systems.
Myanmar has formally banned the import, export, sale, possession, and use of e-cigarettes and electronic shisha products under its Essential Supplies and Services Law.
On Friday, the Ministry of Health announced that the prohibition was issued under Cabinet authorization dated Feb. 18. The order bars the “importation, exportation, sale, possession, storage, carrying, distribution, use and consumption” of e-cigarettes, related accessories, and electronic shisha products.
The ministry said enforcement will fall under the Essential Supplies and Services Law, a statute that authorizes authorities to regulate or prohibit goods deemed necessary for public welfare.
Kyaw Kan Kaung, deputy director general of Myanmar’s Department of Public Health, said e-cigarettes have become increasingly popular among young people, both domestically and internationally.
“Many also believe e-cigarettes are less dangerous than cigarettes, but that is completely wrong,” he said, adding that e-cigarettes “can directly damage the lungs and contain highly addictive nicotine, heavy metals and other toxic substances.”
He said the measure was introduced to protect public health, “particularly among young people.”
Myanmar had previously restricted tobacco advertising and smoking in public places under its 2006 Control of Smoking and Consumption of Tobacco Products Law. The new order extends government control to electronic nicotine delivery systems, placing Myanmar among regional countries that have moved to prohibit vaping products outright.
