Vietnam observes World No Tobacco Day
(VOVworld) – The Ministry of Health held a meeting in Ho Chi Minh City on Saturday to mark World No Tobacco Day (May 31), and the National Non-Smoking Week from May 25 to 31. Vietnam is currently one of 15 countries with the highest number of smokers in the world. There is a smoker in every two young men above 15 years old. A global survey on smoking adults in Vietnam in 2010 indicated that male smokers accounted for 47% while female ones accounted for 1.4%. Two thirds of Vietnamese women and children often suffer from second-hand smoking while 33 million adults were exposed to passive smoking at home. Dr Luong Ngoc Khue, Head of the Ministry of Health’s Program on Prevention of harmful effects of tobacco, spoke at the event:
"Comprehensive solutions are expected to reduce the supplies of and demands for tobacco. We aim to reduce the number of adult smokers from 47.4% to 39%. We are working to ensure a healthy non-smoking environment at all schools, hospitals, offices, and public places."
Vietnam ratified the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control in 2004. After 10 years implementing the Convention, Vietnam has achieved significant results including a decrease in numbers of smokers, the promulgation of the Law on Prevention and Control of Tobacco Harms in 2012, and the national strategy on preventing tobacco’s harmful effects until 2020. Vietnam has banned direct advertisements on smoking and will increase tobacco tax from 65% to 75% from January 1st, 2016.