Vietnam Achieves Significant Progress in Tobacco Control, but Faces Challenges

In recent news, according to Vietnam Television (VTV), at a discussion forum organized by the Vietnam Tobacco Control Fund (VTCF), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the Bloomberg Philanthropies, Leung Yuk Fai, the head of VTCF, pointed out that Vietnam has achieved significant progress in tobacco control efforts, but there has been an increase in e-cigarette use among the youth population.

Extensive use of cigarettes has become a major factor in the increase of non-communicable diseases in Vietnam in recent years. Diseases such as stroke, coronary heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and lung cancer are all associated with tobacco use. More than 75% of death cases in Vietnam annually are linked to non-communicable diseases, with tobacco use being a key contributing factor.

With support from the Vietnamese parliament, government, and Ministry of Health, the Anti-Smoking Foundation has closely collaborated with various departments, provincial and municipal people's committees, and political and social organizations to implement smoking control policies. They have been promoting anti-smoking campaigns in different provinces and cities, establishing a network that includes over 20 departments, political and social organizations, as well as all 63 provinces and cities to strengthen anti-smoking efforts. Furthermore, they have conducted extensive nationwide publicity activities.

By 2022, the smoking rate among males aged 15 and above has decreased from 42.3% in 2020 to 38.9%, while the smoking rate among students aged 13 to 15 has decreased from 2.5% in 2014 to 1.9% in 2022. However, despite the decline in tobacco use, especially among males, the rates still remain relatively high. Additionally, there is a growing trend in smoking among females, and the emergence of new tobacco products such as e-cigarettes poses a threat to the progress made in tobacco control in Vietnam over the past decade.

According to a 2019 survey conducted by the World Health Organization, the prevalence of e-cigarette use among Vietnamese students aged 15 to 17 was 2.6%. However, a survey conducted in 2022 revealed a significant increase in this proportion, with the number rising to 3.5%.

At the seminar, Leung Yuk-Kwai took the opportunity to call on various parties to support Vietnam in achieving its tobacco control goals by 2030. Specifically, he urged the Bloomberg Philanthropies and other international organizations to continue their support, particularly in increasing tobacco taxes, preventing the consumption of new tobacco products such as e-cigarettes and heated tobacco, and promoting awareness of the health effects of tobacco.