Vài phút hút điếu thuốc, hệ lụy nhiều năm, tác hại nhiều người | VTV24

Key Concepts

• Luật phòng chống tác hại của thuốc lá (Law on Prevention and Control of Tobacco Harms): The primary legal framework in Vietnam aimed at reducing tobacco use and its associated health and socio-economic consequences.
• Thuốc lá điện tử (E-cigarettes) / Thuốc lá nung nóng (Heated tobacco products) / Thuốc lá thế hệ mới (New generation tobacco products): Emerging tobacco products that pose new challenges to public health and tobacco control efforts.
• Hút thuốc lá thụ động (Secondhand smoke): The involuntary inhalation of smoke from tobacco products by non-smokers, leading to significant health risks.
• Giá thuốc lá (Tobacco price): A key factor influencing tobacco consumption, with low prices contributing to accessibility and high consumption rates.
• Thực thi pháp luật (Law enforcement): The process of applying and enforcing legal regulations, which faces challenges in tobacco control in Vietnam.
• Quỹ phòng chống tác hại thuốc lá (Tobacco Harm Prevention and Control Fund): A fund established to finance activities related to tobacco control, supported by mandatory contributions from tobacco businesses.
• Thuế tiêu thụ đặc biệt (Special consumption tax): A tax levied on certain goods, including tobacco, with the aim of reducing consumption and generating revenue.

Summary

This program discusses the challenges and solutions in enforcing tobacco harm prevention laws in Vietnam, featuring insights from Dr. Nguyễn Huy Quang, former Director of the Legal Department of the Ministry of Health.

Current Situation and Challenges in Tobacco Control

• Legal Framework: Vietnam has had a comprehensive legal framework for tobacco harm prevention since the Law on Prevention and Control of Tobacco Harms was enacted in 2012 and took effect in 2013. This includes laws, resolutions, decrees, and ministerial circulars.
• Persistent High Smoking Rates: Despite these efforts, Vietnam remains among the top 15 countries globally with the highest adult male smoking rates, affecting approximately 15.6 million people.
• Widespread Exposure to Secondhand Smoke: Exposure to secondhand smoke is prevalent in public places like restaurants, bars, and other crowded areas.
• Key Contributing Factors to Challenges:
  • Low Tobacco Prices: Cigarettes are affordable, with some packs costing as little as 10,000 VND. This low price makes them easily accessible, even for individuals with low incomes. The average price in Vietnam is around 2.8 USD, significantly lower than the global average of 5.9 USD.
  • Easy Accessibility: Tobacco products are readily available for purchase everywhere, including individual cigarette sales, which caters to social customs like drinking tea and eating.
  • Emergence of New Tobacco Products: The rise of e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products (collectively referred to as new generation tobacco products) presents new and significant health risks, particularly among women and youth.
  • Lack of Strict Enforcement: While laws exist, their enforcement is weak. Many people are unaware of the specific regulations regarding smoking in public places or the penalties for violations.
  • Inadequate Penalties and Enforcement Mechanisms: Fines for public smoking, ranging from 200,000 VND to 500,000 VND for individuals aged 16-18 using tobacco, and potentially higher for adults, are stipulated but rarely implemented. There's a perceived lack of authority and clear procedures for enforcement agencies to impose these penalties effectively.

Health Impacts of Tobacco Use

• Cancer Risk: Smoking increases the risk of lung cancer by 25 times compared to non-smokers. It is also a leading cause of various other cancers, including those of the throat, esophagus, kidney, and liver.
• Secondhand Smoke Dangers: The program highlights the alarming issue of passive smoking, where non-smokers are exposed to harmful tobacco smoke, leading to significant health consequences.

Proposed Solutions and Legal Amendments

• Strengthening Law Enforcement:
  • Increased Public Awareness: Educating the public about the dangers of smoking and the regulations in place is crucial.
  • Community Involvement: Encouraging individuals to politely request smokers to move to designated smoking areas or refrain from smoking in prohibited zones.
  • Decisive Action by Authorities: Emphasizing the need for law enforcement agencies to actively intervene and impose penalties for violations.
• Revising and Updating Legislation:
  • Addressing New Tobacco Products: The National Assembly's Resolution 173 has already banned the production, import, business, circulation, storage, and use of e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products. This resolution, praised internationally, needs to be integrated into the Law on Prevention and Control of Tobacco Harms for stronger legal grounding.
  • Comprehensive Review: A thorough review of the current law is necessary to ensure it aligns with the evolving reality of tobacco use, including the prevalence of new products and challenges in enforcement.
  • Stronger Penalties: Implementing deterrent penalties with robust enforcement mechanisms is essential.
• Increasing Tobacco Taxes:
  • Planned Tax Increases: The amended Special Consumption Tax Law will gradually increase the tax on tobacco products, reaching 10,000 VND per pack by 2031.
  • Impact of Tax Increases: According to WHO recommendations, a 10% tax increase can lead to a 4-8% reduction in tobacco consumption.
  • Addressing Smuggling Concerns: While concerns about increased smuggling exist, past experiences in Vietnam (e.g., 2016-2017) show that tax increases did not necessarily lead to a rise in smuggling; in fact, the smuggling rate decreased from 20% to 13%.
• Leveraging the Tobacco Harm Prevention and Control Fund:
  • Financial Support for Communication: The fund should prioritize financing information, education, and communication campaigns to raise awareness and promote behavioral change, especially among youth.
  • Funding Scientific Research: The fund should support research to generate evidence-based data, such as studying the impact of tax increases on smuggling, to counter opposing viewpoints and inform policy decisions.

Conclusion and Call to Action

The program concludes by emphasizing that tobacco harm prevention is not solely a health issue but a societal one requiring collective effort. While Vietnam has demonstrated strong commitment through its legal framework and policies, effective implementation hinges on strict supervision and the self-awareness of society. All stakeholders, including individuals, families, communities, and government agencies, have a crucial role to play in creating a smoke-free environment and protecting public health from the devastating consequences of tobacco.