Lai Chau: Strengthening the prevention of tobacco harms

According to the World Health Organization, tobacco use is one of the biggest threats to public health, with more than 8 million deaths worldwide each year, including about 1.3 million deaths from diseases related to passive smoking. In Vietnam, with more than 15 million smokers, tobacco use is currently causing a burden of disease and premature death, with an estimated number of more than 100,000 deaths each year.

Tobacco is a toxic product, containing more than 7,000 chemicals and more than 70 carcinogens. Tobacco use is causing a serious and increasing burden of disease and premature death, as well as medical costs. The economic loss caused by tobacco is estimated at VND108 trillion per year (equivalent to 1.14% of GDP). This figure is 5 times larger than the contribution of tobacco tax revenue to the national budget.

Reality shows that the awareness of the responsibility of state power entities in preventing and combating the harmful effects of tobacco is still limited; the awareness of compliance with the law on tobacco harm prevention of a number of leaders of agencies, units and organizations in the state apparatus is still limited; these regulations have not been resolutely implemented seriously.

Although it has been realized into law, there are still many shortcomings in implementing the Law on Tobacco Harm Prevention and Control in life because violations of smoking in public places are still very common, smoking only occurs for a short time and suddenly. Many stores still sell to children under 18 years old. The authorities with the authority to impose fines are few while the number of violators is large and occurs over a large area. The forces handling the law only have a few positions such as the Inspector of the Department of Health, the police, and the market management. On the local side, only the Chairman of the People's Committee at all levels, the inspector, and the police have the authority to impose fines.

Provincial units regularly organize competitions to promote the harmful effects of tobacco.

Faced with that situation, every year, the Provincial Steering Committee for Tobacco Harm Prevention promptly issues directive documents and plans to organize tobacco harm prevention activities, strengthens the dissemination of the Law on Tobacco Harm Prevention, decrees, documents guiding the implementation of the law, and communicates in response to World No Tobacco Day, National Smoke-Free Week, etc.

Departments, branches, sectors and localities, based on the provincial plan and instructions of ministries and sectors on implementing the Law on Tobacco Harm Prevention and Control, Decree No. 77/2013/ND-CP of the Government, organize and implement tobacco harm prevention and control activities; promulgate working regulations and office culture regulations, which stipulate strict implementation of regulations on tobacco harm prevention and control; strengthen the fight against smuggling and illegal tobacco trading.

Comrade Bui Tien Thanh - Director of the Department of Health, Deputy Standing Committee of the Provincial Steering Committee for Tobacco Harm Prevention and Control said: In recent years, in addition to the work of taking care of people's health and reducing diseases related to smoking, the Provincial Steering Committee for Tobacco Harm Prevention and Control has coordinated with departments, branches and organizations of the province to organize and implement tobacco harm prevention and control activities, directing agencies, departments and branches in the whole province to strengthen information and propaganda work to raise awareness for cadres, civil servants, public employees, workers and the community about the harmful effects of tobacco use, especially new generation tobacco; launching a movement to implement smoke-free workplaces and public places. At the same time, actively propagating tobacco-related diseases and the Law on Tobacco Harm Prevention and Control to the people on mass media.

In the context of social networks and technology development, forms of promotion and enticing young people to use tobacco, especially electronic cigarettes, are becoming more popular, sophisticated and dangerous than ever. As the future owners of the country, the participation of union members and young people in tobacco control work will have a strong impact on improving the health and quality of the country's future human resources.

Businesses absolutely do not sell cigarettes to children under 18 years old.

Comrade Be Thi Bang - Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Youth Union shared: Realizing the importance and urgency of tobacco harm prevention work. In the past time, the Provincial Youth Union Standing Committee has directed all levels of the Youth Union in the whole province to widely implement many practical activities such as: Organizing forums "Youth with a smoke-free environment"; competitions to propagate young people about tobacco harm prevention. Propagating through social networks, youth union meetings, media, and tobacco harm prevention counseling for students, union members, and young people.

The Law on Tobacco Harm Prevention is an important legal framework that contributes to limiting diseases and improving public health. Therefore, everyone should join hands to bring the content of this law into life to build a safe, smoke-free living environment, ensuring health safety for all of us.

Source: https://baolaichau.vn/xa-hoi/lai-chau-tang-cuong-cong-tac-phong-chong-tac-hai-cua-thuoc-la-1200368