Current status of cigarette use in Vietnam
According to WHO in 2021, tobacco use causes 85,500 deaths each year. Secondhand smoke causes 18,800 deaths. In total, 104,300 deaths a year are due to tobacco-related diseases.
In Vietnam, there are 25 diseases related to tobacco use such as stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, coronary artery disease... which are the leading causes of death in Vietnam. In particular, the rate of lung cancer patients who smoke is up to 96.8%.
According to estimates from PGATS 2020 research data, up to 49,000 billion VND is spent per year on buying cigarettes; 108,000 billion VND per year on medical examination and treatment related to tobacco use.
From 2015 to 2023, the rate of adults (aged 15 and over) using tobacco decreased from 22.5 to 20.2%; men decreased from 45% to 38.9%, while the rate of women increased from 1.1 to 1.5%.
Prof. Dr. Tran Van Thuan, Deputy Minister of Health - Permanent Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Tobacco Harm Prevention Fund - said: “Vietnam is one of the countries that has shown a strong commitment to preventing and combating the harmful effects of tobacco. After 10 years of implementing the Tobacco Harm Prevention Law, the rate of regular cigarette use among adult males has decreased from 47.4% to 38.9% (2010 - 2023); among adolescents aged 13-17, the rate has decreased from 5.36% to 2.78%...
At the same time, the rate of exposure to secondhand smoke has also decreased significantly in households, public places and workplaces.
E-cigarette use is increasing rapidly
The percentage of people using e-cigarettes increased rapidly from 2015 to 2020, especially in the 15-24 age group from 0.1 to 7.3%. The group of teenagers using e-cigarettes increased from 3.5 to 8% in just 1 year (2022 - 2023). In 2023 alone, there were 1,224 hospitalizations due to e-cigarette use.
Dr. Nguyen Trong Khoa, Deputy Director of the Department of Medical Examination and Treatment Management - Ministry of Health said: "The rate of use of electronic cigarettes and heated tobacco products is increasing rapidly among teenagers, through the disguise of items such as pencil cases, toys... electronic cigarettes and heated tobacco products easily penetrate the school environment.
Smoking e-cigarettes is a form of self-expression for today's youth. On average, a person smokes 1 to 2 packs of cigarettes a day, which is a lot, but with e-cigarettes there is no limit. Impurities in e-cigarettes and e-cigarettes are as toxic as cigarettes, and nicotine is very addictive."
Tobacco control measures in Vietnam
According to the current Law on Special Consumption Tax, Vietnam is applying a special consumption tax of 75% on the factory price.
In order to prevent the use of electronic cigarettes and electronic tobacco products in the community, the Ministry of Health has proposed a solution to promptly issue a Resolution banning the production, trading, import, advertising, and use of electronic cigarettes and electronic tobacco products and other new tobacco products to protect public health while waiting for the Law on Tobacco Control to be amended.
Currently, many public places have not yet promoted smoking bans, the harmful effects of tobacco have a great impact on people around them, creating a passive smoking environment. Therefore, smoking should be banned in public places such as hospitals, parks, schools, etc.
Currently, more than 40 countries in ASEAN have issued bans on e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products or both.
