Vietnam Should Raise Tax on Cigarettes to Curb Smoking Rate: WHO

The government of Vietnam should raise taxes on cigarettes to lower smoking rate which was about 22.5% in 2015 in a bid to curb smoking-related diseases that kill average 40,000 people in the country per year, the Ministry of Health has reported, citing the World Health Organization (WHO). Policy makers need to consider increasing special consumption tax (SCT) on cigarettes to a rate that is almost unaffordable to everyone with an aim to lower the number of smokers which hit approximately 15.6 million currently. 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, experts said at a conference on Sept 6. Statistics showed at the event that Vietnam remains one of countries having the highest smoking rate. Cigarettes are sold in every corner across the country at cheap prices that everyone can buy. A smoker spends an average of VND2.65 million ($118) on cigarettes annually. In 2015, the rate of male smokers was 45.3%, falling from 47.4% in 2010, according to the Ministry of Health. (Thoi Bao Kinh Te Viet Nam – Vietnam Economic Times Sept 7 p12, Tien Phong – Pioneer Sept 7)