Protecting children from the impact of the tobacco industry

According to the Ministry of Health , the rate of e-cigarette use among students aged 13-17 increased from 2.6% in 2019 to 8.1% in 2023. In the 13-15 age group, the rate more than doubled from 3.5% in 2022 to 8% in 2023. The increase in children's use of tobacco, especially e-cigarettes, will lead to many negative health consequences for the younger generation.

The doctor educated the patient about the harmful effects of e-cigarettes.

The Ministry of Health has recently sent a document to ministries, central agencies, and organizations regarding the organization of activities in response to World No Tobacco Day on May 31st, National No Tobacco Week from May 25th to 31st, 2024, and strengthening the enforcement of the Law on Prevention and Control of Tobacco Harm.

World No Tobacco Day, May 31, 2024, was launched by the World Health Organization with the theme "Protecting children from the impacts of the tobacco industry".

The World Health Organization emphasizes that World No Tobacco Day 2024 is a forum for young people worldwide to demand that the tobacco industry stop targeting children and adolescents with products harmful to their health, and to call on governments to implement strong tobacco control measures, protecting children from the impact of tobacco advertising, including marketing through social media and digital platforms.

According to the World Health Organization, there is a clear link between the increasing rate of tobacco product use among young people and the targeting of young people through tobacco advertising, promotion, and marketing, especially on digital platforms.

Globally, an estimated 19 million adolescents aged 13-15 (13 million boys and 6 million girls) currently smoke, with approximately 5 million of these smokers living in Southeast Asia.

Surveys in most countries show that children aged 13-15 have a high rate of using tobacco products, especially newer tobacco products such as e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products.

In Vietnam, according to the Ministry of Health, achievements in tobacco control are at risk of being undermined by the rapid increase in the use of products known as e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products, especially among young people.

The rate of e-cigarette use among students aged 13-17 increased from 2.6% in 2019 to 8.1% in 2023. In the 13-15 age group, the rate more than doubled from 3.5% in 2022 to 8% in 2023.

To further strengthen the enforcement of the Law on Tobacco Control and the National Strategy on Tobacco Control, the Ministry of Health requests that ministries, central agencies, and organizations coordinate and direct the organization of activities to enhance the enforcement of the Law on Tobacco Control and the National Strategy on Tobacco Control; and to participate in World No Tobacco Day on May 31st and National No Tobacco Week from May 25th to 31st.

Strictly enforce regulations prohibiting smoking and create a smoke-free environment in the workplace within the ministry and its assigned agencies and units; direct the inclusion of tobacco harm prevention and control into annual activity plans; incorporate regulations prohibiting smoking in the workplace into the internal regulations of agencies and units; and display "No Smoking" signs in the workplace.

Regularly monitor the enforcement of smoking bans in the workplaces of ministries, departments, organizations, and affiliated units.

Develop a plan and effectively implement the National Strategy on Tobacco Control until 2030.

Strengthen inspection and monitoring of the implementation of the Law on Prevention and Control of Tobacco Harm; continue to strengthen the enforcement of penalties for violations of regulations prohibiting smoking in designated no-smoking areas;

In accordance with the Prime Minister's directive in Official Dispatch No. 47/CĐ-TTg dated May 13, 2024, on strengthening the management of e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products to prevent their use.

Organize communication activities in response to World No Tobacco Day on May 31st and National No Tobacco Week from May 25th to 31st, 2024.

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