Rally in response to World No Tobacco Day and National No Tobacco Week (May 25

Attending the launching ceremony were leaders of a number of provincial departments, branches and sectors; leaders of Muong Khuong district; representatives of medical units in the province and a large number of people in Muong Khuong district.

In 2025, the World Health Organization (WHO) chose the theme “Exposing the False Appeal” for World No Tobacco Day on May 31, with the aim of exposing the tactics of tobacco corporations around the world in false advertising, misleading people that tobacco is harmless to expand the consumer market, especially among young people. The World Health Organization calls on countries to join hands in implementing the Communication Campaign in response to World No Tobacco Day on May 31, 2025 for a healthier future.

According to the World Health Organization, cigarette smoke contains over 7,000 toxic chemicals, of which 69 are carcinogenic; tobacco use is the cause of more than 25 dangerous diseases for both smokers and non-smokers who regularly inhale cigarette smoke such as: cancer, respiratory diseases, cardiovascular diseases, mental health diseases, reproductive health diseases in both men and women...

Currently, in addition to traditional cigarettes such as cigarettes, pipe tobacco, cigars, etc., many new generation cigarettes have appeared, typically electronic cigarettes and heated tobacco. In Lao Cai , according to survey data on tobacco use in 2020 and 2024, the rate of electronic cigarette use in the 15-16 age group decreased from 1.1% to 0.3%; in men, the rate decreased from 1.9% to 0.5% and in women, it increased slightly from 0% to 0.1%.

Representatives of agencies, units and restaurants in Muong Khuong district signed a commitment to implement the Law on Prevention of Tobacco Harms and create a smoke-free environment.

Activities to prevent and combat the harmful effects of tobacco in the province have been implemented since 2015 and have achieved many remarkable results. According to the provincial survey data, the number of smokers has decreased over the years. The number of passive smokers has also decreased significantly in places where smoking is prohibited. Activities to build a smoke-free environment in the workplace have been implemented throughout the province in agencies, units, medical facilities, schools, factories, hotels, etc. However, in recent years, with the appearance of new types of cigarettes, especially electronic cigarettes, they are penetrating young people, especially students in middle and high schools.

Speaking at the rally, Mr. Hoang Truong Minh, Vice Chairman of Muong Khuong District People's Committee, hoped that the work of preventing and combating the harmful effects of tobacco in Muong Khuong District would continue to receive the attention and direction of the Steering Committee for Health and Population of Lao Cai Province; the close coordination of relevant departments and branches, especially the support and companionship of agencies, units, organizations, unions, and business communities in the area.

Comrade Nguyen Thi Kim Anh, Deputy Director of the Department of Health, spoke at the rally.

Speaking at the rally, comrade Nguyen Thi Kim Anh, Deputy Director of the Department of Health, requested all levels, sectors, localities, agencies and people to continue to promote information, education and communication work on mass media systems in the province so that people can access more information about the harmful effects of tobacco in general, e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products in particular; organize and implement activities to build a smoke-free environment in agencies, units and localities; promote the responsibility of heads of agencies, organizations, localities and leaders in organizing the implementation of smoking ban regulations according to the provisions of the Law; strengthen child protection; raise awareness among children, adolescents and the community about the harmful effects of tobacco and e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products, shisha and other new tobacco products; Integrate tobacco harm prevention activities into the movement "All people unite to build new rural areas and civilized urban areas", the movement "All people unite to build a cultural life"; organize regular inspection and supervision of the implementation of the Law on Tobacco Harm Prevention, building a smoke-free environment in agencies, units, schools...

After the rally, delegates, cadres, youth and union members of Muong Khuong district marched and cheered through the streets of Muong Khuong town, widely propagating the work of preventing and combating the harmful effects of tobacco in the community (photo above).

Source: https://baolaocai.vn/mit-tinh-huong-ung-ngay-the-gioi-khong-thuoc-la-va-tuan-le-quoc-gia-khong-thuoc-la-255-315-post402515.html