Vietnam Ministry of Health urges total ban on new tobacco products, citing health risks

Oct.30.2024
Vietnam Ministry of Health urges total ban on new tobacco products, citing health risks
Vietnam Ministry of Health (MoH) calls for ban on new tobacco products, citing increased health burden and threats to public health, safety, and the environment.

According to Vietnamnet's report on October 30, the Vietnam Ministry of Health stated at a seminar held on the 29th that new tobacco products such as e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products will have harmful effects.

 

Tran Van Thuan, the deputy minister of health, stated that in addition to traditional cigarettes, there are also options such as e-cigarettes, heated tobacco, and hybrid tobacco products available. Despite these products not being allowed for sale in Vietnam, their usage is rapidly increasing, especially among high school students in urban areas.

 

The minister pointed out that according to 2021 data, the overall smoking rate in Vietnam is 20.8%, with 41.1% of adult males smoking, putting the country at the forefront globally in terms of smoking prevalence. In just 2022 alone, the economic costs related to tobacco, including healthcare expenses, productivity losses due to illness, and premature deaths, reached 1.14% of the national GDP, which is five times higher than tobacco tax revenue.

 

Ha Anh Duc, Director of Medical Services Management, pointed out that the usage rate of e-cigarettes among students aged 13 to 15 has significantly increased from 3.5% in 2022 to 8.0% in 2023 in just two years. Statistical data shows that smoking rates vary by age group: 7.3% for those aged 15-24, 3.2% for those aged 25-44, and 1.4% for those aged 45-64.

 

Vietnam Ministry of Health has recommended Congress pass a resolution to ban the production, sale, import, and advertising of e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products, and other new types of tobacco products. At the same time, the ministry is in the process of drafting a revised version of the Tobacco Harm Prevention Law.

 

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