Say no to tobacco and new addictive substances

On the afternoon of May 14, at Ha Huy Tap High School (No. 8, Phan Boi Chau Street, Vinh City, Nghe An ), Tien Phong Newspaper in collaboration with Nghe An Department of Education and Training, Nghe An Provincial Youth Union organized the Forum "What I Want to Say" in 2025 with the theme: "Say no to cigarettes, e-cigarettes and new addictive substances".

The program will be broadcast live on Tien Phong Newspaper and Tien Phong Newspaper ecosystem. Livestream on Tien Phong Newspaper fanpage at 2:30 p.m. on May 14, 2025.

The program was attended by many psychologists, doctors, representatives of Nghe An Provincial Police and more than 1,000 students, teachers and parents in Nghe An province. In particular, the program also had the participation of singer Ha Myo - Outstanding Young Vietnamese Face of 2022.

The forum is organized to provide information on identifying new generation addictive substances and e-cigarettes. At the same time, it provides more information on the harmful effects of cigarettes, e-cigarettes and solutions to build a smoke-free school environment. At the program, medical experts, teachers and authorities will provide updated information on stimulants that are spreading among young people, especially e-cigarettes with sophisticated camouflage and difficult to control. Doctors and public health experts will provide scientific information on the impact of traditional cigarettes, e-cigarettes and new addictive substances on human health in general and children in particular. In the open discussion, the sharing and recommendations from the students themselves will promote practical actions from schools, families and society in protecting the younger generation from tobacco smoke and addictive substances.

The program was held at Ha Huy Tap High School (No. 8, Phan Boi Chau Street, Vinh City, Nghe An).

The “What I Want to Say” forum is a space for students to speak up, express their opinions, propose initiatives and join hands to build a healthy, safe, smoke-free school environment. This is also an opportunity for all levels and sectors to listen and take action to prevent early risks that affect the health and comprehensive development of children.

According to research by the World Health Organization (WHO), globally, nearly 37 million children aged 13-15 are using tobacco products. The rate of e-cigarette use among adolescents exceeds that of adults in many countries.

In recent years, tobacco, e-cigarettes and new addictive substances have been penetrating the school environment at all three levels from primary, secondary to high school. The rate of e-cigarette use among students in the 13-17 age group increased from 2.6% in 2019 to 8.1% in 2023. In the 13-15 age group, the rate has more than doubled from 3.5% in 2022 to 8% in 2023.

Globally, nearly 37 million children aged 13-15 are using tobacco products. (Illustration photo).

According to WHO estimates, tobacco use causes more than 100,000 deaths each year. Of these, 84,500 people die from diseases related to active smoking and 18,800 people die from diseases related to passive smoking.

Tobacco use is causing a serious and growing burden of disease and premature death, as well as medical costs. The economic loss due to tobacco is estimated at VND108 trillion per year (equivalent to 1.14% of GDP). This figure is five times larger than the contribution of tobacco tax revenue to the national budget.

The Ministry of Health stated that the work of preventing and combating the harmful effects of tobacco among young people in Vietnam is facing many difficulties and challenges. The use of new tobacco products among young people is on the rise.

The forum “What I want to say” in 2025 with the topic: “Say no to cigarettes, e-cigarettes and new addictive substances” will be broadcast live on Tien Phong Newspaper and Tien Phong Newspaper ecosystem. Livestream on Tien Phong Newspaper fanpage at 2:30 p.m. on May 14, 2025.

Ngoc Tu - Thu Hien

Source: https://tienphong.vn/noi-khong-voi-thuoc-la-va-chat-gay-nghien-moi-post1741731.tpo