Although the words "Smoking can cause lung cancer" or "Slowing smoking causes death" have become familiar on each packaging, they do not seem to be strong enough to prevent many people from finding white smoke. In reality, many smokers are also aware of the harm and the need for stronger measures. A man in Hanoi, even though he has been smoking for more than a year, still believes that increasing taxes is completely reasonable.
Sharing this point of view, Mr. Nguyen An (name changed) Cau Giay, Hanoi said: "I fully support the tax increase. I myself am trying to quit smoking. If the tax is higher and the price of medicine is more expensive, it will probably be a strong enough motivation for me and many others to completely quit. If that tax amount is used to treat people affected by cigarette smoke, it would be reasonable.
Mr. Viet (name changed) in Cau Giay District, Hanoi shared: To be honest, for someone who has considered smoking as a habit of eating deeply, I am not sure if the tax increase will be enough to change. Without it, my work and daily life are affected, because I may be addicted to nicotine.
According to the report of the Ministry of Health, the economic burden caused by tobacco-related diseases for Vietnam each year is about 108 trillion VND, this figure is 5 times higher than the revenue from tobacco taxes. Analyzing this issue, Associate Professor, Dr. Bui Thi An, former National Assembly Delegate of the 13th tenure, affirmed her strong support for the proposal of the Ministry of Health. She said that this is a " remotely controlled" measure, helping to save huge costs for the health sector and ensure social security.
"A cigarette can cause many diseases, not only for smokers but also for those around them. When making policies, we must harmonize interests, which both the State and the people are suffering. Therefore, we must be determined to do it," Ms. An emphasized.
She also said that drastic and synchronous action is needed, especially strengthening anti-smuggling control to maximize the effectiveness of the policy. According to the roadmap of the revised Law on Special Consumption Tax, from 2027, tobacco products will begin to be subject to the absolute tax rate, with a starting price of VND 2,000/pack and gradually increasing to VND 10,000/pack by 2031.
