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Smoking in Vietnam

There has been a slight downwards trend in current smoking prevalence in the general population in Vietnam. Smoking prevalence was 24% overall in 2000 and declined to 23.5% in 2015, with a further drop to under 23% projected by 2025. The prevalence for men remains high, but has decreased from 48% in 2000 to 47% in 2015, with a further decrease to 46% projected by 2025. Women’s smoking prevalence was very low at 1.6% in 2000, dropping slightly to 1% in 2015, and is projected to decrease to under 1% by 2025. The WHO published prevalence trend estimates in tobacco smoking, as shown here, in their 2018 2nd edition report, which show slightly different smoking prevalence to the WHO country profiles. Data for the estimates were obtained from WHO databases. The trend lines are projections, not predictions, of future attainment. A projection indicates a likely endpoint if the country maintains its tobacco control efforts at the same level that it has implemented them to date. Therefore the impact of recent interventions could alter the expected endpoint shown in the projection. While the methods of estimation used in the first and second editions of the WHO report are the same, the volume of data available for the second edition is larger i.e. 200 more national surveys. The results presented are therefore more robust.

Read articles from Vietnam

June 05, 2024 by vnexpress.net

Trade ministry supports e-cigarette ban

The Ministry of Industry and Trade in Vietnam supports a proposed ban on e-cigarettes due to negative health impacts reported by the Ministry of Health. Trader minister Nguyen Hong Dien halted the review of a bill on e-cigarette regulation, and stated support for banning them. No licenses have been issued for e-cigarette trading, and violators are being investigated and punished. E-cigarettes, containing harmful substances, have seen an increase in usage among Vietnamese youth. In 2023, 1,200 people were hospitalized due to e-cigarette usage.

June 05, 2024 by vnexpress.net

Trade ministry supports e-cigarette ban

The Ministry of Industry and Trade in Vietnam supports a proposed ban on e-cigarettes due to negative health impacts reported by the Ministry of Health. Trader minister Nguyen Hong Dien halted the review of a bill on e-cigarette regulation, and stated support for banning them. No licenses have been issued for e-cigarette trading, and violators are being investigated and punished. E-cigarettes, containing harmful substances, have seen an increase in usage among Vietnamese youth. In 2023, 1,200 people were hospitalized due to e-cigarette usage.

May 20, 2024 by sggp.org.vn

E-cigarette displays great dangers to young generations

An interview with Vice Chairman of the National Medical Council Luong Ngoc Khue discusses the rise in e-cigarette use among Vietnamese youth. Despite a decrease in traditional cigarette consumption, cases of emergency care due to e-cigarette overuse have surged, especially among adolescents. The appeal of e-cigarettes lies in their various designs and flavors, leading to an increase in usage among young students. The lack of regulation allows easy access to these harmful products, contributing to health and social issues. Efforts are being made to update legislation to ban e-cigarette manufacturing, trading, and advertising, aligning with global initiatives to curb tobacco-related harms.

May 20, 2024 by sggp.org.vn

E-cigarette displays great dangers to young generations

An interview with Vice Chairman of the National Medical Council Luong Ngoc Khue discusses the rise in e-cigarette use among Vietnamese youth. Despite a decrease in traditional cigarette consumption, cases of emergency care due to e-cigarette overuse have surged, especially among adolescents. The appeal of e-cigarettes lies in their various designs and flavors, leading to an increase in usage among young students. The lack of regulation allows easy access to these harmful products, contributing to health and social issues. Efforts are being made to update legislation to ban e-cigarette manufacturing, trading, and advertising, aligning with global initiatives to curb tobacco-related harms.

May 14, 2024 by vnexpress.net

Vietnam PM requests increased e-cigarette management

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has requested authorities to apply different measures to manage and prevent the harmful effects of e-cigarettes. In a document issued Monday, Chinh said the rate of smokers has dropped by 0.5% on average every year among males. But different types of e-cigarettes are available and more people are using them, leading to adverse health effects for users. As such, Chinh has requested the Ministry of Health to communicate more about the harmful impacts of e-cigarettes, as well as proposing solutions to manage them. The Ministry of Finance would instruct customs to manage the transportation of e-cigarettes through the border, and to tackle smuggling.

May 06, 2024 by vietnamnet.vn

Debates over ban on e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products

There are debates over banning e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products as the Ministry of Health proposed a ban on e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products whereas the Ministry of Industry and Trade wants to legalize the two products. Minister of Health Dao Hong Lan said that the Ministry of Health has submitted many documents to the Government and to the Ministry of Industry and Trade clearly expressing the ministry's views on this issue.

April 17, 2024 by thestar.com.my

E-cigarettes to be regulated as tobacco product in Vietnam

Many ministries affirm that heated cigarettes fall under tobacco laws, regulated since 2012. The Ministry of Industry and Trade is developing rules to manage electronic and heated tobacco products. The Law on Prevention and Control of Harmful Effects of Tobacco defines tobacco products based on ingredients, not production methods. The Framework Convention on Tobacco Control includes heated tobacco as a tobacco product. The 2018 World Health Organization recognizes heated cigarettes as tobacco and advises national regulation. Minister of Health Dao Hong Lan stresses the importance of regulating new cigarettes under existing laws.

March 28, 2024 by vnexpress.net

To ban or not to ban e-cigarettes?

When I first entered university, I did something that, upon recall, I always chuckled at how stupidly innocent it was: I started smoking to show people how "mature" I was, and to show off with my female friends. I was very poor in university, much like all other university students back then. So naturally, I chose one of the cheapest brands, a no-filter straight-up cigarette. We only chose a more expensive type of cigarette on the first day of the new academic year. We did not have any strong reason to do so, besides the dire need to impress the new influx of girls at the school.

March 26, 2024 by vietnamplus.vn

Thailand warns against toy-shaped vape

Thai Academics are warning about a new type of e-cigarette called "toy pods" which look like replicas of popular cartoon characters to target school and university students. Srirach Lapyai, a project manager at Tobacco Control Research and Knowledge Management Centre (TRC), said e-cigarette businesses have adjusted the appearance of their products to look more like figurines of famous cartoon characters or cute miniatures of toys, food, stationery items, and so forth.

November 29, 2023 by vietnamplus.vn

Laos to list electronic cigarettes among addictive substances

Laos plans to amend and supplement certain provisions of the law on drug prevention and control, with electronic cigarettes to be included in the list of substances and precursors classified as addictive. Speaking at the 9th Lao National Assembly’s 6th session, General Vilay Lakhamphong, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Security, stressed that electronic cigarettes, one of the emerging issues of social concerns, are yet to be listed as prohibited substances. Therefore, in the near future, they will be added to the list of products containing banned addictive substances and precursors.