40,000 people in Vietnam die from smoking-related diseases every year
Relevant agencies in Vietnam have recently implemented a range of measures to reduce the smoking rates by prohibiting people from smoking at public places, workplaces and public buses. However, the rate of tobacco users in the country remains high compared to other nations in the world.
Statistics have shown that up to 97% of lung cancer patients smoke. According to the Chief Representative of the WHO in Vietnam, nicotine in tobacco leaves is an addictive substance, which makes the giving up of smoking not easy for people who are addicted to it.
The representative also emphasized the need to build social norms on banning people from smoking at public places to reduce the number of smokers.
He also underlined the need to disseminate information on a ban on smoking at public places to remind tobacco smokers that it is an illegal action and therefore quit smoking.