Smoking Claims Over 100 Lives in Vietnam Daily

Vietnam is among countries where smoking is most widely prevalent, losing more than 100 people a day to the habit and burdening huge economic damage, the state-run Thanh Nien newspaper reported, citing the Ministry of Health. The number will nearly double in 2030, according to the Ministry of Health. Statistics from the ministry showed that the Vietnamese smoking population is among the biggest in the world, with nearly half of the male population aged 15 or more, or more than 15 million people, engaging in the habit. Smoking has been confirmed to be linked to some 25 diseases due to its high content of toxic chemicals, including 70 carcinogens. Smokers spend roughly $1 billion a year on tobacco and treatment of related diseases. With an effort to reduce the number of smokers and consequences caused by smoking, the government has imposed a 65% tax rate on tobacco and plans to raise to 70% this year and 75% in 2019. (Thanh Nien – Young People May 31)