Government officials, industry representatives and other stakeholders attend a seminar in Vientiane last week to discuss tobacco industry reform.

Tobacco industry talks mull regulatory reform, revenue sustainability

Government officials, industry representatives and other stakeholders convened in Vientiane on May 5 to discuss the reform of the tobacco industry.
Talks centred on safeguarding the revenue earned from the sale of tobacco products, mainly cigarettes, along with market regulation and international tobacco control measures.
The seminar adressed the reform and management of tobacco-related businesses. It was chaired by the Standing Vice President of the State-owned Enterprise Reform Committee, Mr Kikeo Chanthaboury, with participants discussing evidence-based approaches to tobacco regulation in Laos.
Executives from Lao Tobacco Limited and China Tobacco International Lao Manufacturing Co., Ltd., formerly known as Laos-China Hongta Good Luck Tobacco Co., Ltd., attended the meeting alongside officials from various ministries and organisations.
The seminar aimed to provide a factual and neutral overview of the tobacco industry in Laos while examining international and regional experiences related to tobacco control measures, particularly the use of packaging that displays only pictorial health warnings, and tobacco taxation frameworks.
The gathering served as a platform for dialogue on tobacco industry management, based on evidence and practical experiences learnt from other countries.
Participants noted that maintaining stable domestic revenue sources is an important national priority, with the tobacco industry making a significant contribution to the state budget.
Discussions focused on the potential economic and fiscal implications of major regulatory changes, including the introduction of plain packaging and changes to the taxation structure.
Presentations delivered at the seminar describing the experience of other countries indicate that sudden regulatory changes or inadequate market management may contribute to the expansion of illegal trade and weaken tax collection.
The seminar reviewed case studies and lessons learned from foreign markets, allowing participants to assess how different policy approaches have been implemented internationally and how such measures could be adapted to the Lao context while safeguarding state revenue and ensuring compliance with market regulations.
Officials said the multi-sector gathering reflected the government’s commitment to pursuing balanced, well-informed and sustainable regulatory approaches that align public policy objectives with Laos’ economic and financial realities.
The meeting further highlighted the importance of continued policy review and cooperation among ministries, state enterprises, and industry stakeholders to support informed decision-making and long-term regulatory sustainability.

By Times Reporters
 (Latest Update May 11, 2026)