Speaking at the meeting, Dr. Ha Anh Duc, Vice Chairman of the National Medical Council, Director of the Department of Medical Examination and Treatment Management, said that the latest good news from the Ministry of Health and officials in charge of tobacco harm prevention is that the National Assembly has agreed to ban the production, trading, import, storage, transportation, and use of electronic cigarettes and heated tobacco products, gases, and addictive substances that are harmful to human health from 2025.
This decision demonstrates the support and determination of the Party, National Assembly, and Government in protecting people's health, putting health benefits above economic benefits. This decision has received the consensus and support of the majority of people and has been highly appreciated and praised by the World Health Organization and international friends.
According to Dr. Ha Anh Duc, tobacco use is a cause of increased diseases such as stroke, coronary artery disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer... and is the cause of about 8 million deaths each year in the world, including Vietnam, with more than 108 thousand cases each year.
It is estimated that by 2022, the economic loss to society due to active and passive smoking, including medical treatment costs, lost productivity due to illness and premature death due to smoking, will account for 1.14% of GDP (equivalent to VND 108.7 trillion). This cost is 5 times higher than the revenue from tobacco taxes.
In 2025, tobacco harm prevention will continue to implement many synchronous solutions, including the proposal to increase tobacco taxes. This is an effective tool to reduce the smoking rate in Vietnam.
There are currently two forms of tobacco products: traditional tobacco products for adults and new tobacco products with users mostly being the younger generation. Therefore, Dr. Ha Anh Duc suggests that there must be changes in the approach to be appropriate.
In addition, it is necessary to strictly implement smoke-free environments and review the effectiveness of measures to ban tobacco smoke in environments such as hospitals and innovate and diversify communication work accordingly.
Dr. Ha Anh Duc also requested the Bloomberg Initiative and partners in Vietnam to continue supporting activities to prevent the harmful effects of tobacco. At the same time, delegates discussed and shared effective policies from other countries and discussed challenges and opportunities in tobacco control in Vietnam to better implement the Law on Tobacco Harm Prevention and Control, the National Strategy on Tobacco Harm Prevention and Control; how to be more effective in implementing a smoke-free environment; Strengthening communication must change accordingly...
Speaking at the meeting, Ms. Betsy Fuller, Senior Director of Public Health Program, Bloomberg Initiative Foundation congratulated the Ministry of Health for having a Resolution of the National Assembly banning the production, trading, import, storage, transportation, and use of electronic cigarettes, heated tobacco products, gases, and addictive substances that are harmful to human health from 2025.
These are proud results, demonstrating the efforts and solidarity of tobacco harm prevention officers and partners in Vietnam. However, according to Ms. Betsy Fuller, tobacco harm prevention work still has a long way to go. The immediate task is to increase tobacco taxes at the National Assembly session in May 2025.
In addition, the implementation of the Tobacco Harm Prevention Strategy by ministries and sectors still faces many challenges. The Ministry of Health also needs to develop tools and guidelines to prevent new tobacco products and users who already have e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products, etc.
