A meeting took place in Hanoi on May 29 to mark World No Tobacco Day (May 31), in addition to National No Tobacco Week which will run from May 25 to May 31, with the main aim of protecting younger generations from the impact of tobacco advertisements and cigarette use.

Addressing the event, Deputy Minister of Health Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Truong Son called on relevant ministries and agencies in localities and cities nationwide to intensify measures on the implementation of the Tobacco Control Law.

Son emphasised the importance of severely reducing the number of smokers in the country as a means of helping to prevent cardiovascular diseases and build a healthy environment for each citizen, their families, and society as a whole. 

The meeting is part of a range of activities held in response to both World No Tobacco Day and National No Tobacco Week with the primary aim of raising public awareness of the dangers and prevention activities to limit the harmful effects of tobacco. 

The occasion offers the Tobacco Harm Prevention Fund under the Ministry of Health a platform to warn about the serious consequences of tobacco use on human health, in addition to highlighting the importance of protecting young citizens from the negative impact of tobacco use.

Currently, tobacco corporations globally are launching advertising campaigns to promote their latest tobacco products such as electronic cigarettes and heated cigarettes via the internet, which ultimately lead to adverse effects on the lifestyle and behaviour of young people.

The Ministry of Health has recently coordinated efforts alongside relevant agencies to deploy a range of prevention activities against the harmful effects of tobacco use in 63 cities and provinces nationwide, with a specific focus placed on the ban on smoking in the workplace and developing smoke-free working environments.