Young volunteers prepare to ride bikes carrying boards saying that no smoking is healthy, civilised and polite as part of a no smoking campaign. — Photo vietnamplus

HÀ NỘI — The Ministry of Health and the Hồ Chí Minh Communist Youth Union Central Committee held a ceremony in Hà Nội on Saturday to mark World No Tobacco Day (May 31) and National No Tobacco Week.

Lương Ngọc Khuê, head of the Health Ministry's Department of Medical Examination and Treatment and Director of the Vietnam Tobacco Control Fund, said the number of male smokers in Việt Nam has dropped from 45.3 per cent in 2015 to 42.3 per cent at present.

He cited a survey conducted by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as showing that the prevalence of smoking among Vietnamese students aged from 13-17 decreased from 5.36 per cent in 2013 to 2.78 per cent in 2019.

Khuê also pointed out difficulties in the prevention and control of tobacco harms, including the presence of e-cigarettes that are available on social networks and mainly target young people.

He suggested stronger tax policies to build a smoke-free environment, and stepping up the communication work to raise public awareness of the dangers of tobacco.

On this occasion, the Vietnam Tobacco Control Fund, the Hồ Chí Minh Communist Youth Union Central Committee and Vital Strategies launched a video-making contest to reduce the use of tobacco and e-cigarettes among young people. — VNS