Smoking leads to over 40,000 deaths yearly

The Ministry of Health on April 23 convened a conference on realization of the Law on Prevention and Control of Tobacco Harms and the National Strategy on Tobacco Harm Prevention.

Viet Nam was one of the 15 countries having the highest rate of tobacco users in the world, particularly men, said Deputy Minister of Health Nguyen Thi Xuyen.

The Deputy Minister quoted the 2010 global adult tobacco survey as saying that in Viet Nam out of two mature men (from over 15 year old), one is addicted to tobacco. Around 8 million Vietnamese workers suffer from passive smoking at working places. As much as 47 million people are regularly exposed to smoking at home.

Statistics showed that the tread of infectious diseases declines while the number of non-infectious diseases increases sharply. Smoking-related diseases like stroke, coronary artery, lung cancer are the leading cause of death for both men and women in Viet Nam.

According to a survey of the Health Strategy and Policy Institute, around 11% of male deaths were caused by smoking. 

The WHO also recommended that without effective measures in response to smoking, the number of deaths would pick up to 70,000 cases in 2030.

Earlier, the 13th National Assembly passed the Law on Prevention and Control of Tobacco Harms in 2012, which will take effect on May 1, 2013. 

The Prime Minister has also ratified the National Strategy on Tobacco Harm Prevention by 2020 in a bid to reduce use and supply of tobacco in Viet Nam./.

By Khanh Phuong