Dr Gan Quan, Director for Tobacco Control of The International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease
In an interview with Dantri/Dtinews Online Newspaper on the sideline of the 4th Summit of Asia Pacific Cities Alliance for Tobacco Control and Non-communicable Diseases Prevention (4th APCAT Summit) held in Indonesia on World Lung Day 25th September, Dr Gan Quan, Director for Tobacco Control of The International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease proposed some measures for Vietnam to better tobacco control, including raising tobacco tax as soon as possible.
According to Quan, Vietnam has gained great success with the Vietnam Tobacco Control Fund (VNTCF). While other low and middle-income countries have to depend on foreign aid, Vietnam has its own fund for tobacco control efforts. This is a sustainable solution.
“However, Vietnam’s tax on cigarettes is quite low comparing to other countries in the region such as Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines and recommendations from international organisations,” Quan noted.
He shared that at present the cigarette tax in Vietnam stands at 36.7%, which is lower than many countries in the region including Indonesia (58.5%), Malaysia (58.6%), Singapore (67.1%), and the Philippines (71.3%). This figure is also much lower compared to a recommendation from the WTO of 75%. Quan pointed out a study which showed that cigarette prices in Vietnam have tended to fall over the past 10 years.
The expert also noted that the health warning pictures on cigarette packets are not strong enough while the fines on violators of the Laws on Tobacco Control are not strict enough.
He said he supported the Vietnamese Ministry of Finance's draft laws on tobacco control and expected that once the laws are issued, cigarette prices will be raised to discourage low-income and young people.
At the meeting, Quan showed a report which said tobacco kills over 8 million people every year globally.
Representatives from three provinces of Bac Lieu, Dong Thap, and Thai Binh in Vietnam also shared about their efforts in controlling tobacco in local public places which is expected to raise people's awareness on the harmful effects of smoking.
Nguyen Thi Thu Dung (first from right) and representatives from other countries in the region at the event.
The two-day regional meeting was jointly organised by APCAT, Ministry of Health Indonesia, Republic of Indonesia, Bogor City, The Union (International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease) and the Partnership for Healthy Cities. Members of Parliament, Governors, Mayors and other local government leaders and public health experts from 12 countries attended the event.
