Vietnam Health Ministry Requests Implementation of Anti-smoking Laws for World No Tobacco Day

According to the Vietnamese news agency, e-cigarettes and heated tobacco have become new focus points. The Ministry of Health in Vietnam recently issued a notice to provincial and municipal People's Committees, requesting them to coordinate and guide the implementation of anti-smoking laws and the national anti-smoking strategy to address World No Tobacco Day (May 31) and National No Smoking Week (May 25-31).

Specifically, the Ministry of Health is requiring each region to develop and implement the provincial government's anti-smoking strategic plan until 2030, in order to reduce smoking rates as a measure of the region's economic and social development. The anti-smoking battle will then be integrated into the region's other strategies, plans, and projects. Each region should also establish a well-functioning anti-smoking action plan leadership team, clearly defining the specific responsibilities of team members, and issuing regulations on the responsibilities and coordination mechanisms of anti-smoking work to ensure its effective implementation.

Provincial and municipal people's committees have been instructed to guide the integration of anti-smoking activities into social development movements, such as "the entire nation coming together to construct new rural areas and civilized cities," and the "the entire nation coming together to build a cultural life" movement, expanding smoke-free zones in neighborhoods, parks, towns, government offices, and businesses.

The Ministry of Health also requires local authorities to further promote the inclusion of anti-smoking laws in annual activity plans, include regulations prohibiting smoking in workplaces in internal regulations of institutions and units, and display no-smoking signs in smoking prohibited areas.

Furthermore, each region should fully leverage the role of anti-smoking volunteers' network, encourage and guide citizens to strictly adhere to the laws and actively participate in anti-smoking activities. Law enforcement agencies need to strengthen inspections, checks, and handling of violations of anti-smoking laws, conduct regular specialized multi-departmental inspections of anti-smoking laws, and enhance the capacity of law enforcement personnel.