VIETNAM NO TOBACCO WEEK 25-31/5 & WORLD NO TOBACCO DAY 31 May, 2017 MEETING

Assoc. Prof.Dr. Nguyen Thi Kim Tien, Minister of Health, Chairman of Vietnam Tobacco Control Fund chaired the meeting anddelivered a speech.
Minister called “Everyone, especially young people, should not smoke. If you addicted cigarettes you should quit in order to not affecting health, life and those around you. I also hope that everyone strictly implement Tobacco Control Law. The inspection, and punishment of violations in our counry must be strictly implemented. This could prevent tobacco harm, reduce the mortality from diseases caused by tobacco”.
In Vietnam, the proportion of smoking was still high. Moreover, everyone still was easy to buy cigarettes at public places, especially coffee shop, restaurants and other entertainment places…made difficult for smoking cessation and tobacco control in our country. In addition, the monitoring and sanction haven’t been implemented strictly that creating hinderance.
Attending the meeting, there were Ms. Nguyen Thuy Anh, Chairperson, Committee on Social Affairs of the National Assembly, and representatives of leaders from ministries and sectors.Mr. Ngo Van Quy, Vice Chairman of Hanoi People’s Committee; Assoc.Prof.Dr.Luong Ngoc Khue, Director of Vietnam Tobacco Control Fund- Ministry of Health, and with leaders from hospitals, institutes, civil society organizations, non government organizations, northern provinces,  2000 students and journalist.
Dr. Lokky Wai, WHO Representative of WHO country Office for Viet Nam attended and delivered a speech on the theme of WNTD and recomendations for Viet Nam. Dr. Lokky Wai claimed that Vietnam should increase tobacco tax to contribute for tax revenue and decrease smoking prevalence.
After that, nearly 2000 student made a bicycle parade on the streets and walking, dance flashmob at the Hoan Kiem lake area to give messages to call everyone develop smoke free life. Besides that, the meeting had famous artists such as MC Phan Anh, singer Noo Phuoc Thinh, actor Nha Phuong, actor Bao Thanh, actor Viet Anh who performed and shared their stories and their point of view in support of tobacco control.
Along with the main ceremony organized by the Vietnam Tobacco Control Fund, many ministries such as: Ministry of Public Security, Ministry of National Defense, Hochiminh Communist Youth, Health Union and provinces also organized meetings, performances to celebrate World No Tobacco Day this year.
In addition, 63 provinces and cities have organized various activities in response to World No Tobacco Day, such as hanging slogans for World No Tobacco Day, organizing seminars, workshops, and many broadcasting sessions on Vietnam National Television (VTV), Radio Voice of Vietnam (VOV) about harms of cigarettes, electric cigarettes, pipe tobacco to health; typical examples of tobacco quit, mobilizing people to quit smoking and benefit of smoking cessation.  After the meetings there are very strong social media activity thanks to the actors and actresses who all posted their photos and video clips in their facebook from the meetings events on World No Tobacco Day to gain strong support from their fans.