Vietnam tackles harms of tobacco use

Vietnam's law on preventing and controlling the harms of tobacco use has come under revision at the country's National Assembly question-and-answer session, Vietnamese Health Minister Dao Hong Lan said.

During the Nov 11 session, deputy Pham Thi Kieu from the Central Highland Province of Dak Nong voiced public concerns regarding the current use of electronic cigarettes and heated tobacco among young people.

When the law was first drafted and implemented over a decade ago, new products like e-cigarettes did not exist, Lan said.

Based on an assessment of the current situation and consultations with the World Health Organization and other relevant groups, the health ministry has maintained its stance that the use of e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products is rapidly increasing and poses potential health and safety risks, especially for young people.

The ministry has conducted surveys on the use of the products among adults, with results showing that the highest use of e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products are among those aged 15-24.

Notably, usage has risen among young people, especially teenage girls. The rate of e-cigarette use among students aged 13-15 increased from 3.5 percent in 2022 to 8 percent in 2023.

The ministry has submitted a report to the government assessing the impact of the new tobacco products.

It also plans to introduce stricter measures to control e-cigarettes in the future, Lan said. It has submitted a report to the National Assembly proposing a ban on e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products before the revised Law on Prevention and Control of Tobacco Harms is reviewed and passed.

Lan expressed hopes that the assembly would issue a decision to ban the products to protect public health.

Regarding new tobacco products, deputy Nguyen Thi Mai Thoa from the northern province of Hai Duong raised questions about programs to stop smoking among children in local areas.

Lan said that the Vietnam Tobacco Control Fund currently organizes a network to get people to stop smoking. The ministry has 24 units participating in the network, including hospitals under the ministry and those serving large numbers of patients.

Bach Mai Hospital has set up a center to help stop smoking and the health ministry has also introduced a hotline offering counseling sessions.

In response to questions on a special consumption tax for new tobacco products, the minister urged legislators to consider the tax implications on tobacco.

She pointed out that for every dollar gained in tobacco tax, five dollars are spent on addressing public health impacts, apart from the long-term health effects on future generations — she therefore expressed the hope that the National Assembly will support a ban on new forms of tobacco.

Viet Nam News, Vietnam