UN Proposes Vietnam Raise Tax on Tobacco to 70% to Curb Smoking Rate

The United Nations Interagency Task Force (UNIATF) said in the Prevention and Control of Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs) after a tour to Vietnam that the Southeast Asian country should raise tax on tobacco to at least 70% to curb smoking rate which is on the rise. Vietnam needs a specific plan to reduce smoking-related consequences by applying measures which had been proved to effective, according to UNIATF. Cigarettes are sold in every corner across the country at cheap prices that everyone can buy. The country spends an estimated VND31 trillion on cigarettes annually and a smoker spends an average of VND2.65 million ($118) on cigarettes per year. Raising taxes on cigarettes is one of measures proved to help ease the smoking rate, contribute more to the state budget, and better protect human health in many countries, foreign experts said. Raising tax on tobacco will largely help Vietnam curb non-contagious diseases, they said. Vietnam’s United Nations Resident Coordinator Pratibha Mehta said that prevention of non-contagious diseases is one of Vietnam’s sustainable development goals as the diseases caused poverty and increase social inequalities. According to the World Health Organization, smoking-related diseases that kill average 40,000 people in the country per year. (Sai Gon Giai Phong – Saigon Liberation Sept 21)