Thousands of Vietnamese women and children die unjustly from inhaling cigarette smoke

This is the information given by Dr. Kidong Park, Chief Representative of the World Health Organization (WHO) in Vietnam, at the launching ceremony of the campaign to build smoke-free hotels and restaurants in Hanoi on the morning of April 3.

Mr. Park said that every year in the world, more than 8 million people die from using drugs.cigaretteIn Vietnam, WHO estimates that nearly 40,000 people die from tobacco use each year.

Notably, cigarette smoke emitted from surrounding areas (passive smoking) also causes many deaths, especially women and children.

Globally, secondhand smoke kills 1.2 million people each year, 64% of whom are women and 15% are children.

In Vietnam, nearly 6,000 people die from passive smoking, of which nearly 5,000 are women and children.

Dr. Kidong Park, WHO Representative in Vietnam.

“We must take action to prevent the deaths of innocent victims due to secondhand smoke, starting simply with implementing smoke-free restaurants and hotels,” Dr. Kidong Park emphasized.

WHO Representative in Vietnam calls on all hotels and restaurants in Vietnam to join the smoke-free initiative.

“This is very easy to do, and in the long run will contribute to protecting the health and lives of the young generation of Vietnam,” said Mr. Park.

According to Associate Professor, Dr. Luong Ngoc Khue, Director of the Department of Medical Examination and Treatment Management, Ministry of Health, in Vietnam, although there have beenLaw on Prevention of Drug Harmahregulations prohibit smoking in restaurants and hotels. However, currently only a very small number of businesses have signed the commitment because they are afraid to remind customers.

Meanwhile, WHO research shows that the level of cigarette smoke pollution in restaurants and hotels is 3.5 - 4.4 times higher than in other working environments.

Cigarette smoke still has an effect within a range of 7-10m. Therefore, even when very far away from the smoker, passive smokers still face health risks no less than those who are smoking.

Cigarette smoke affects everyone within a 7-10m radius. Illustration: Medical Economics

Passive smoking increases the risk of lung cancer by 30% and coronary heart disease by 25%.

Citing WHO research, Mr. Khue said that smoke emitted from the burning end of a cigarette contains 21 times more toxins than exhaled smoke.

According to Mr. Khue, Vietnam has more than 15 million smokers, the number of non-smokers is nearly 75 million. Thus, the number of non-smokers is 5 times higher than smokers, and is a group that needs to be prioritized, ensuring the right to breathe fresh air.

“Developing a smoke-free tourism environment not only creates a clean environment but also attracts more visitors. I believe that smoke-free hotels and restaurants will be the priority destinations for customers,” Mr. Khue believes.

After the launch, 200 hotels and restaurants in Hanoi joined the campaign, signing a commitment to strictly comply with smoke-free regulations. Customers who want to smoke will have to go to a separate area.