Vietnam is estimated to have 40,000 deaths from smoking-related diseases each year, quadruple the number of fatalities caused by traffic accidents and this number is forecast to climb to 70,000 by 2030.
The figures were released at a press briefing jointly held by the Ministry of Health (MoH) and the World Health Organisation (WHO) in Hanoi on May 25 to mark the nation’s No Smoking Week (May 25-31).
The total social cost for the most common diseases caused by smoking, including lung cancer and coronary thrombosis, is estimated at over 1 trillion VND, equivalent to 20 percent of the entire state budget for public health.
According to the WHO, Vietnam has one of the highest smoking rates in the world with 56.1 percent of men and 1.8 percent of women being active smokers.
This is blamed on weak controls and cheap retail tobacco prices in the country due to taxes being much lower than other regional countries such as Singapore and Thailand.
In addition, the small space dedicated to health warnings on each packet of cigarettes so it is not effective in describing harmful the effects of tobacco to consumers.
During the week, meetings and marches will be held in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, central Da Nang City and northern Thai Binh province. Two TV reports on non-smoking working environments and the necessity to bring out a law on preventing the harmful effects of tobacco will also be screened.
The health ministry’s draft law on preventing the harmful effects of tobacco stipulates that smoking should be totally prohibited in schools, kindergartens, health clinics, factories and all indoor working places. Entertainment centres, hotels and restaurants should also be required to zone off areas for smokers./.
Bach Mai Hospital becomes Vietnam’s first to win top WSO stroke certification
Hanoi-based Bach Mai Hospital has become the first healthcare facility in Vietnam to earn the “Advanced Stroke Centre” certification from the World Stroke Organisation (WSO).
