Vietnam organizes National Tobacco-Free Week.

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

National Tobacco-Free Week is 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 disease and death worldwide.

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

This year, the theme for World No Tobacco Day is “Blocking Tobacco Advertising, Promotion and Sponsorship,” chosen by the World Health Organization (WHO) to help policymakers and the public in countries recognize the strategies of the tobacco industry so that timely measures can be taken.

The young people are ready for the parade.

Referring to the consequences of tobacco use, Mr. Takeshi Kasai, Head of the WHO Representative Office in Vietnam, stated that according to WHO reports, 6 million people die annually worldwide due to active smoking and approximately 600,000 die from passive smoking. It is estimated that by 2020, 8 million people will die annually due to tobacco use, with 70% of these deaths occurring in developing countries.

Vietnam is a developing country with a high risk of illness and death from tobacco use, with 40,000 deaths annually attributed to tobacco use. Therefore, Mr. Takeshi Kasai believes that Vietnam needs to strengthen activities to educate the public to reduce smoking and prevent tobacco-related diseases.

According to health experts, research evidence suggests that a complete ban on tobacco advertising would help reduce the number of people starting to smoke and the number of tobacco users. It is also one of the most effective and low-cost measures to reduce tobacco demand.

On the occasion of the rally in response to World No Tobacco Day and National No Tobacco Week, the Ministry of Health calls on agencies, organizations, and individuals to strictly enforce the regulations prohibiting smoking in workplaces, schools, hospitals, and certain public places as stipulated in the Law on Prevention and Control of Tobacco Harm. 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 individual, each family, and the entire society.

These "volunteer hearts" cycled in a parade through many streets of Hanoi.

Following the rally, a parade was held to support World No Tobacco Day and National No Tobacco Week, with hundreds of students cycling to raise awareness on many streets in Hanoi.

According to (Vietnam+) - LT