Vietnam celebrates National No Tobacco Week

On the morning of May 25, the Ministry of Health held a rally to respond to World No Tobacco Day and launch the National No Tobacco Week in Hanoi.

National No Tobacco Week from May 25-31.
(Photo: Thuy Giang/Vietnam+)

Speaking at the ceremony, Deputy Minister of Health Nguyen Thi Xuyen warned that tobacco use is one of the leading causes of illness and death in the world.

Ms. Xuyen emphasized that poverty and diseases caused by tobacco use are not only a problem of one country but are becoming a global epidemic. In Vietnam, in response to World No Tobacco Day, the National No Tobacco Week is held from May 25-31.

This year, the theme of World No Tobacco Day is “Ban tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship,” which was chosen by the World Health Organization (WHO) with the aim of helping policy makers and the public in countries recognize the strategies of the tobacco industry so that timely measures can be taken.

Young people get ready for the parade.

Referring to the consequences caused by tobacco, Mr. Takeshi Kasai - WHO Representative in Vietnam said that according to WHO's report, every year in the world, 6 million people die from active smoking and about 600,000 people die from passive smoking. It is estimated that by 2020, 8 million people will die each year from tobacco use, of which 70% are from developing countries.

Vietnam is a developing country with a high risk of illness and death from tobacco, with 40,000 deaths each year due to tobacco use. Therefore, Mr. Takeshi Kasai said that Vietnam needs to step up activities to educate people to limit smoking and prevent diseases caused by tobacco.

According to health experts, research evidence shows that a comprehensive ban on tobacco advertising would reduce the number of people who start smoking and the number of people who use tobacco. It is also one of the most effective and low-cost measures to reduce demand for tobacco.

On the occasion of the World No Tobacco Day and National No Tobacco Week, the Ministry of Health calls on agencies, organizations and individuals to strictly implement the ban on smoking in workplaces, schools, hospitals and some public places as prescribed by the Law on Tobacco Harm Prevention. In addition, the health sector also calls on everyone to work together to build a clean, smoke-free living and working environment for the health of each person, each family and the whole society.

"Volunteer hearts" cycled on many streets of Hanoi.

After the rally, there was a parade celebrating World No Tobacco Day and National No Tobacco Week with the participation of hundreds of students cycling to promote the campaign on many streets in Hanoi.

According to (Vietnam+) - LT