More than 7 million people die from smoking, Vietnam is in the group of heavy smokers

SGGPO 05/27/2023 17:27

On May 27, in Hanoi, the Ministry of Health organized a rally to respond to World No Tobacco Day, May 31, with the theme "We need food, not tobacco" and the National No Tobacco Week, from May 25 to 31.

Rally in response to World No Tobacco Day 31-5

At the rally, Deputy Minister of Health Tran Van Thuan stated that research by the World Health Organization (WHO) shows that tobacco use is the cause of more than 8 million deaths worldwide each year. Of these, more than 7 million people die from direct tobacco use and about 1.2 million die from passive smoking.

Smoking is also a factor that increases the risk of respiratory infections, especially the leading cause of cancer and cardiovascular diseases. Along with the health effects, tobacco use also causes economic losses to individuals, families and society, including expenses for smoking, costs for medical examination and treatment of smoking-related diseases, loss of work capacity due to illness and premature death.

More than 7 million people die from smoking, Vietnam is in the group of heavy smokers photo 1

Deputy Minister of Health Tran Van Thuan speaks at the rally

In Vietnam, tobacco harm prevention has achieved many remarkable results. Compared to 2015, the rate of male smokers in 2020 decreased from 45.3% to 42.3%. In particular, the rate of passive smoking has also decreased significantly in places such as: workplaces, educational institutions, on public transport and indoor areas. In the age group of 13-15 years old, the smoking rate has also decreased from 2.5% in 2014 to 1.9% in 2022.

More than 7 million people die from smoking, Vietnam is in the group of heavy smokers photo 2

Delegates attend a cycling rally to promote tobacco harm prevention.

However, Vietnam is still among the countries with the highest number of smokers in the world. In particular, recently, electronic cigarettes, heated tobacco products, and shisha have appeared. These products are currently not allowed to be imported, traded, and circulated in the domestic market, but their purchase and sale and advertising are widespread, leading to a rapid increase in the use of electronic cigarettes in our country, especially among students. The health and economic losses caused by the use of new tobacco products are no less serious than those of conventional cigarettes, especially the health consequences for the younger generation.

On World No Tobacco Day, May 31 this year, WHO chose the theme “We need food, not tobacco” to call on countries to promote activities to raise public awareness of the harmful effects of tobacco on health, economy, environment, food security and nutrition; mention the link between tobacco use, cultivation and poverty; call for quitting smoking to increase spending on food.

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