More than 90% of tobacco retail outlets violate regulations

Research on the current situation of violations of tobacco advertising and promotion at retail outlets shows that more than 90% of retail outlets violate regulations on displaying more than one pack or carton of one tobacco brand.

The above information was given by a research group of the University of Public Health at an updated seminar.

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The authors of the above study collected data over three years: 2009, 2011 and 2013 through observing 1,500 drug stores in 10 provinces and cities and 150 streets and public places in Vietnam.

Speaking at the workshop, Ms. Phan Thi Hai - Deputy Chief of the Office of Tobacco Harm Prevention (Ministry of Health), said that since the Law on Tobacco Harm Prevention took effect in May 2013, people and the community's awareness of the health and economic harm caused by tobacco has increased.

However, currently, the enforcement of administrative sanctions for violations of regulations while the Law on Tobacco Harm Prevention still faces many difficulties. The reason is that human resources to regularly monitor the implementation of the Law at units are still lacking, and funding for communication and propaganda work is still limited.

Therefore, the workshop is an opportunity for the Ministry of Health and organizations to update information and promote strict implementation of the provisions of the Law on Tobacco Harm Prevention./.

According to the provisions of the Law on Tobacco Harm Prevention:

- Enterprises, wholesalers and retailers of tobacco must have a license to sell tobacco according to Government regulations.

- The person in charge at the point of sale of a wholesaler or retail tobacco agent must post a sign stating that tobacco is not sold to people under 18 years of age; the retail agent or retail tobacco point of sale must not display more than one pack, one carton or one box of one brand of tobacco.

According to VNA