>> Goverment proposes monopoly on tobacco industry
National Assembly deputies discussed the draft Law on Tobacco Harm Prevention and Control, many suggesting that more regulations should be included.
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| Nearly 40,000 people in Vietnam die to smoking-related illness |
Deputy Le Thanh Van, from Haiphong, said the draft law does not include sufficient measures to prevent the use of tobacco and its harmful impacts. He added that there should be limitations on where tobacco can be grown.
Deputy Trinh Ngoc Thach from Hanoi recommended increasing taxes on tobacco products, as well as creating regulations which would fine people for smoking in public places.
Ironically, he pointed out that hundreds of NA deputies stand outside the corridor for a smoke break during ongoing second session meetings. After complaints were lodged about this, the assembly hall was equipped with more ashtrays.
Deputy Trinh The Khiet, Chairman of the Hanoi Farmers’ Association, took a different view. He said that the tobacco industry also helps the economy, contributing VND14 trillion (USD669.8 million) to the state budget annually. Keeping this in mind, he said, the industry should not be punished.
An opposing opinion was voiced by Deputy Nguyen Van Thanh, from the Vietnam’s Airforce, who said that each year, nearly 40,000 people in Vietnam die to smoking-related illness, causing the state to spend thousands of billions on healthcare.
In his opinion, drastic action must be taken immediately.
Recently, the Government proposed that the draft law would ban the marketing of tobacco to people under 18.