Delegates mark World No Tobaccos Day (May 31) and the National No Tobacco Week 2020 in Hanoi on May 29, 2020 (Photo: VNA)

Deputy Health Minister Nguyen Truong Son said the World Health Organization designated this year’s theme: “Protecting youth from industry manipulation and protecting them from tobacco and nicotine use,” aiming to inform communities of the harmful effects of smoking and exposure to smoke.

He added the WHO called on countries to implement strong policies to protect communities, especially the youth, from the danger of using tobacco products, including traditional cigarettes, electronic cigarettes, and non-combusted cigarettes.

Deputy Health Minister Nguyen Truong Son said: “These products are as harmful to human health as conventional cigarettes. It’s more dangerous that companies are making e-cigarettes and heat-not-burn tobacco products targeting young people, adversely affecting their lifestyles and behaviors and hurting our society. Currently, many countries have prohibited the use of this type of products. In Vietnam taxes on tobacco and tobacco prices remain low and tobacco products are easily accessible. So we need greater effort in minimizing the harmful effects of tobacco.”

Deputy Minister Son urged for stricter enforcement of the Law on Prevention and Control of Tobacco Harms.