Bloomberg Philanthropies to Step up Aid for Vietnam in Tobacco Harm Prevention

The U.S.-based Bloomberg Philanthropies will prioritize support for Vietnam in strengthening the enforcement of the Law on prevention and control of tobacco harms and ensuring the effective use of its Tobacco Control Fund, said an official.

Senior Program Officer of Public Health at Bloomberg Philanthropies Betsy Fuller made the statement at a meeting with Vietnamese Minister of Health Dao Hong Lan in Hanoi on October 9. The talk featured officials from some organizations such as Vital Strategies, The Union, the University of Illinois Chicago, and the WHO Vietnam, and Country Director for the U.S. Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids and our Global Health Advocacy Incubator (CTFK) Doan Thu Huyen.

The Bloomberg Philanthropies official suggested Vietnam raise taxes on tobacco and promote the prohibition of new tobacco products.

Welcoming recommendations by the Bloomberg side, Minister Lan asked for the organization’s support in tobacco harm prevention and control, e-cigarette and heated tobacco prevention, and improvement of officers’ capability in this regard.

Smoking is the cause of over 40,000 deaths in Vietnam every year. About one-fifth of male deaths in Vietnam are related to smoking, with diseases such as stroke and lung cancer. (Suc Khoe Doi Song)