More than 1.2 million people die from passive smoking

SGGPO 05/29/2023 17:33

Of the more than 8 million deaths caused by tobacco globally each year, more than 1.2 million are due to passive smoking. Tobacco is the leading risk factor for health in developing countries and causes 25 different diseases.

On May 29, the Ministry of Health held a workshop to implement Circular No. 11/2023/TT-BYT dated May 11, 2023 of the Ministry of Health regulating the implementation of the smoking ban and the awarding of the Smoke-Free Environment Award.

At the workshop, Deputy Minister of Health Tran Van Thuan stated that tobacco is the only legal product that kills half of regular users and automatic smokers. Tobacco use is the cause of more than 8 million deaths worldwide each year. Of which, more than 7 million people die from direct tobacco use and about 1.2 million die from passive smoking. This is the leading risk factor threatening the health of people in developing countries and causes 25 different diseases. Currently, around the world, about 21,000 people die every day and on average, 1 person dies every 4 seconds from tobacco-related diseases.

"Smoking is a factor that increases the risk of respiratory infections and is especially the leading cause of non-communicable diseases. It is estimated that it causes 60,000 cancer cases in Vietnam each year," Deputy Minister Tran Van Thuan emphasized.

Cigarette smoke kills more than 1.2 million people each year, even non-smokers.

In addition to health risks, tobacco use also causes economic losses to individuals, families and society. In particular, smoking rates tend to increase in developing countries. Currently, Vietnam is still among the countries with the highest number of smokers in the world. In the ASEAN region, Vietnam is the third country with the highest number of smokers, after Indonesia and the Philippines.

Deputy Minister of Health Tran Van Thuan speaks at the conference

To strengthen the prevention of tobacco harm, Circular No. 11/2023/TT-BYT regulating the implementation of the smoking ban will take effect from August 1, which stipulates 13 places where smoking is prohibited, such as: medical facilities; educational facilities; child care, nurturing, entertainment and recreation facilities; facilities or areas with high risk of fire and explosion; indoor workplaces of state administrative agencies and public service units; indoor areas of public places; public transport.