The Tobacco Harm Prevention Fund, under the Vietnamese Ministry of Health, has launched a communication campaign to raise public awareness about the dangers of tobacco, particularly new generation products, local media reported.
Running until the end of November 2024, the campaign aims to clarify misconceptions about the safety of these products and warn about serious health risks.
The campaign includes four TV spots broadcast on mainstream media, namely “Don’t Let New Generation Tobacco Harm Future Generations,” “Raise Tobacco Taxes to Protect Our Lives and Families,” “Quit Smoking Today for Your Health and Loved Ones,” and “Seek Help to Quit Smoking.”
In addition to the TV spots, the campaign will boost social media outreach on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, and organize awareness-raising and counseling activities in schools, hospitals, and communities.
Recent studies in Vietnam indicate that the use of new tobacco products is mainly prevalent among young people. In just two years, the e-cigarette usage rate among students aged 13-15 increased significantly, from 3.5% in 2022 to 8.0% in 2023.
Reports from nearly 700 medical facilities in Vietnam reveal that in 2023, there were 1,224 hospital admissions related to the use of new tobacco products.
The health ministry is currently proposing a resolution to the government for the regulation of e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products.