Vientiane (VNA) – All tobacco products produced or imported for sale in Laos must have 75% of their cigarette packages featured with graphic health warning images from December.
The new regulation aims to curb smoking and its associated health risks, particularly among the nation’s youth.
According to the Lao Ministry of Health, smoking and indirect exposure to smoke are leading causes of serious illness, disability, and early death in Laos.
Minister of Health Bounfeng Phoummalaysith revealed that about 18 people die each day from smoking-related illnesses, totaling 6,700 deaths annually, accounting for 15% of all deaths in the country.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimated in a 2022 report that tobacco-related diseases cost Laos 3.6 trillion LAK (173 million USD) annually.
The ministry urged parents to educate their children about the harm of smoking and passive smoking.
By adhering to these stringent tobacco control measures, the ministry aims to massively reduce smoking-related deaths and illnesses in Laos.
Previously, Laos launched intiatives to curb smoking such as increasing tobacco tax, banning tobacco advertisements, establishing non-smoking areas in offices and public space. However, the enforcement of the tobacco-control regulations is still a concern./.
