Campaign launched against secondhand smoke

The Vietnam Women’s Union officially launched a communication campaign on the harmful effects of secondhand smoke at a ceremony in Hanoi on December 6.
Campaign launched against secondhand smoke ảnh 1Illustrative image (Source: ubdt.gov.vn)
 
Hanoi (VNA) – The Vietnam Women’s Union, in coordination with Vietnam TobaccoControl Fund under the Ministry of Health, officially launched a communicationcampaign on the harmful effects of secondhand smoke at a ceremony in Hanoi onDecember 6.

Thecampaign, titled "Protect yourself and your loved ones,” with the supportof Vital Strategies, is the second stage of the “Women make smoke-free homes”programme, which was implemented on May 29, 2016.

The three-month campaign includes the airing of three TV spots based on thetrue story of Nguyen Thi Huong, a non-smoking victim of lung cancer, via onlinenewspapers and popular social networks in Vietnam.

Withthe message "Smoking damages your home," these short clips are aimedat making millions of Vietnamese smokers who use social media understand theadverse effects of secondhand smoke on the health, economy and happiness ofeach family.

"Thesethree TV spots are based on a true story, and through this media campaign wewant to alert all smokers and those living in this unhealthy environment to thefact that anyone of us can face a similar situation of loss and suffering,” TranThi Huong, Vice Chairwoman of the Vietnam Women’s Union, said at the campaignlaunch ceremony.

“Ifsomeone has doubts about the harmful effects of second-hand smoke, please watchthis story. Stop smoking today to protect yourself and your loved ones," Huongadded.

“Tobaccowould claim Nguyen Thi Huong’s life, but her story will serve as a reminder ofthe harm this deadly product can cause and will encourage many tobacco users tomake an attempt to quit,” José Luis Castro, president and chief executiveofficer, Vital Strategies, said.

Smokingis the leading cause of lung cancer in Vietnam. The story of Huong is not “anodd one out" as the proportion of Vietnamese non-smoking women accountedfor 20 percent of lung cancer cases and this figure was increasing gradually.

Accordingto a survey in 2015, with 45.3 percent of male smokers, Vietnam was one of thecountries with the highest cigarette consumption in the world. The proportionof exposure to secondhand smoke at homes reached 62 percent, at workplaces 42 percentand in restaurants 80 percent.-VNA
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