According to a report from Thanhnien on May 26th, activities organized by the Ministry of Health were held in Hanoi in response to World No Tobacco Day on May 31st and National No Smoking Week from May 25th to 31st. Representatives from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Minister of Health of Vietnam also attended the event.
Vietnam's Minister of Health, Dao Hong Lan, stated at the event that whether it is traditional tobacco or new tobacco products such as e-cigarettes and heated tobacco, they have been proven to impose a burden of disease and economic pressure. This not only affects the smokers themselves but also impacts their families and society.
In response to the call of World No Tobacco Day, many substantial activities have been launched nationwide in Vietnam, such as the "Vietnamese Youth Say No to Tobacco and E-cigarettes" campaign, as well as sports events like a virtual marathon with the theme of "Smoke-Free Vietnam Environment.
According to data, the prevalence of regular cigarette use among adult males has decreased from 47.4% in 2010 to 38.9% in 2023. Similarly, smoking rates among adolescents have also been declining, with the smoking rate for the 13-17 age group dropping from 5.36% in 2013 to 2.78% in 2019, and the smoking rate for the 13-15 age group decreasing from 2.5% to 1.9%.
However, the Ministry of Health also stated that the use of new tobacco products in Vietnam is rapidly increasing, primarily including e-cigarettes and heated tobacco, especially among young people. The usage rate in the age group of 13-15 has doubled from 3.5% in 2022 to 8% in 2023.
Angela Pratt, the World Health Organization's representative in Vietnam, proposed two tobacco control policy suggestions during the event, which included a complete ban on nicotine products and new tobacco products in order to effectively protect Vietnam's youth from their harmful effects.
Furthermore, the representative also suggested that the Vietnamese government increase tobacco taxes.
Cigarettes in Vietnam are extremely cheap due to low taxes. This means that the price does not deter young people from starting smoking, nor does it encourage current smokers to quit.
We need to make it more difficult for young people to start smoking or continue smoking. Increasing tobacco taxes is the quickest, most effective way to achieve this goal. Banning e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products, as well as raising tobacco taxes, will help Vietnam achieve its health goals and international commitments to sustainable development.
We welcome news tips, article submissions, interview requests, or comments on this piece.
Please contact us at info@2firsts.com, or reach out to Alan Zhao, CEO of 2Firsts, on LinkedIn
Notice
1. This article is intended solely for professional research purposes related to industry, technology, and policy. Any references to brands or products are made purely for objective description and do not constitute any form of endorsement, recommendation, or promotion by 2Firsts.
2. The use of nicotine-containing products — including, but not limited to, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, nicotine pouchand heated tobacco products — carries significant health risks. Users are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions.
3. This article is not intended to serve as the basis for any investment decisions or financial advice. 2Firsts assumes no direct or indirect liability for any inaccuracies or errors in the content.
4. Access to this article is strictly prohibited for individuals below the legal age in their jurisdiction.
Copyright
This article is either an original work created by 2Firsts or a reproduction from third-party sources with proper attribution. All copyrights and usage rights belong to 2Firsts or the original content provider. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or any other form of unauthorized use by any individual or organization is strictly prohibited. Violators will be held legally accountable.
For copyright-related inquiries, please contact: info@2firsts.com
AI Assistance Disclaimer
This article may have been enhanced using AI tools to improve translation and editorial efficiency. However, due to technical limitations, inaccuracies may occur. Readers are encouraged to refer to the cited sources for the most accurate information.
We welcome any corrections or feedback. Please contact us at: info@2firsts.com
