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Let me begin by thanking the Youth Union, the Viet Nam Tobacco Control Fund and the Medical Service Administration of the Ministry of Health for bringing us together for World No Tobacco Day and the National No Tobacco Week.
This year’s theme, “Unmask the appeal,” highlights a simple truth: tobacco and nicotine products are designed to attract young people, get them hooked, and keep them addicted for life.
Our responsibility is to break that addiction.
In Resolution 72, the Politburo of the Party called for healthier lifestyles to support longevity and economic development.
Viet Nam is already acting on this vision, with the ban on e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products adopted in 2024, and tobacco tax reforms adopted by the National Assembly last year.
Viet Nam’s strong and clear actions have been recognized globally.
Just this week, at the World Health Assembly, WHO’s Director General Dr Tedros presented a World No Tobacco Day Award to Viet Nam’s Vice Minister of Health. This recognized the outstanding contribution to tobacco control of the Department of Legislation at the Ministry of Health, the Health Policy and Strategy Institute, the Poison Control Center at Bach Mai Hospital and the Viet Nam Tobacco Control Fund. Congratulations!
There are promising signs that Viet Nam’s determination to protect youth from vapes is working.
- Small scale surveys have shown that among university students, e-cigarette use has more than halved in just two years. Among adolescents aged 13 to 17, use has dropped dramatically—from 8% to just 1%.
- Hospitals are seeing fewer emergency cases related to e-cigarettes.
- And we are seeing more reports of successful enforcement and prosecution efforts, especially against e-cigarette smuggling.
Turning to smoking now, we know that Viet Nam’s recent tax reforms will have a major impact.
WHO estimates that by 2031, the reforms will help 2.1 million people quit or avoid smoking, prevent 700,000 premature deaths in the coming decades, generate significant Government revenue and reduce access to cheap cigarettes – especially for young people.
This year, with upcoming revisions to the Tobacco Control Law, Viet Nam has the opportunity to take another step forward in the fights against vaping and tobacco.
The ban on e-cigarettes should be reflected in the law, and it should be fully comprehensive – including a ban on parts and components, and related products, including nicotine pouches.
At the same time, we need to strengthen other proven tobacco control measures including banning point-of-sale displays, strengthening health warnings on packs, removing indoor designated smoking areas and enforcing smoking bans.
In Viet Nam’s ongoing work to reduce tobacco and nicotine harm, you can of course continue to count on the support of WHO and our valued partners.
In this work, Viet Nam is joining other countries that are taking bold steps towards a better future.
Just last month, the United Kingdom committed to creating a smokefree generation – where anyone born after 2009 will never be able to legally purchase tobacco.
Imagine that here in Viet Nam. Imagine a generation of children who grow up free from tobacco. A generation protected from addiction. A generation that can live longer, healthier, more prosperous lives.
I am delighted to learn that the Government of Viet Nam is considering creating a smokefree generation too. This would be a very bold step – but it will only work if we also strengthen and enforce other foundational evidence-based measures – to give children and youth the best chance of growing up nicotine and tobacco-free.
Today, as we mark this important occasion, let’s raise the level of ambition about what we can achieve together.
I wish everyone a joyful, active and of course, smoke-free, Viet Nam No Tobacco Week and World No Tobacco Day.
Xin cảm ơn!