Tobacco kills 40,000 people per year in Vietnam and that fatal figure is expected to reach 70,000 by 2030.

This information was released at a press briefing in Hanoi on May 22 held by the World Health Organisation (WHO), the Ministry of Health (MoH) and the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union in response to World No Tobacco Day, National No Tobacco Week from May 22 to 31 and to introduce a draft law on tobacco harm prevention.

The MoH reported that two thirds of non-smokers, mainly women and children, are considered second-hand or passive smokers who have to breathe in smoke at home and in public places.

The ministry is scheduled to submit the draft law on tobacco harm prevention to the ongoing National Assembly session. The law focuses on reducing demand and improving public awareness of smoking cigarettes only in designated areas in order to cushion its harmful effects on non-smokers.

Duong Ngoc Khue, head of the Health Examination and Treatment Department, expressed his hope that all Vietnamese people will support the draft law for the sake of their health.

A WHO representative in Vietnam called on countries to take the fight against tobacco industry interference at centerpiece to effectively control the global unhealthy practice./.