Over 230 Vietnamese people die each day from tobacco use

More than 230 people die each day in Vietnam, nearly 85,000 annually, from tobacco-related illnesses.

Deputy Minister of Health Tran Van Thuan announced this figure at the launch of the first "Smoke-Free Healthcare Facilities" contest on 17/9. The contest is jointly organized by the Suc Khoe va Doi Song newspaper and the Tobacco Harm Prevention Fund (Ministry of Health). This number doesn't include the tens of thousands who suffer severe consequences from secondhand smoke.

Deputy Minister Thuan stated that tobacco is a leading cause of lung cancer, cardiovascular disease, stroke, and many other dangerous diseases. In addition to the burden of disease, tobacco use causes substantial economic losses, from the cost of purchasing tobacco and medical treatment to reduced or lost work capacity due to illness and premature death.

In Vietnam, the smoking rate among men has decreased from 45.3% (2015) to 42.3% (2020). Notably, the rate of secondhand smoke exposure has also significantly decreased in places like workplaces, educational institutions, public transportation, and indoor areas.

Specifically, in the hospital environment, after 10 years of implementing the Law on Prevention and Control of Tobacco Harms, the rate of secondhand smoke exposure in healthcare facilities decreased from 23.6% in 2010 to 21.3% in 2023. The rate of patients receiving smoking cessation counseling during this period also increased from 40% to 90%. Many healthcare facilities have strictly implemented no-smoking regulations, posted signs, and promoted awareness of the harmful effects of tobacco.

However, Dr. Ha Anh Duc, Director of the Department of Medical Examination and Treatment Management, admitted that penalizing smoking in public places, especially in hospitals, is still difficult because violators often smoke discreetly. Patients and their families still smoke in some healthcare facilities.

To thoroughly address the issue, Dr. Duc proposed stronger sanctions, along with increased public awareness campaigns and monitoring to raise public awareness. Vietnam aims to reduce the smoking rate among men over 15 to below 36% and among women to below 1% by 2030.

As part of the event, the organizers launched the "Smoke-Free Healthcare Facilities" contest, which will run from September to December 2025. The contest is expected to motivate hospitals and medical centers to improve their management quality and build a civilized and friendly image.