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Vietnam: Overview

Consumption

• In Vietnam, approximately one-fourth of the adult population smokes (25 percent).
• Nearly half of men (49 percent) and 2 percent of women smoke.
• Among youth (age 13-15), 3 percent currently smoke cigarettes and 1 percent use other forms of tobacco products.

Health consequences

• Approximately 40,000 Vietnamese die each year from smoking-related causes.
• Among youth (13-15), 71 percent are exposed to secondhand smoke in public places and 58.5 percent are exposed to secondhand smoke at home.

Tobacco industry

The Vietnam National Tobacco Corporation, a government owned tobacco company, holds almost half (44 percent) of the cigarette market share. International tobacco companies hold over 37 percent of the cigarette market share in Vietnam. In 2008, British American Tobacco led with 28 percent of market share, followed by Imperial Tobacco (8 percent), Philip Morris International (1.5 percent), and Japan Tobacco (0.4 percent). In Vietnam, more than 81 billion cigarettes were sold in 2008.

FCTC status

Vietnam ratified the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control on December 17, 2004.

Tobacco control policy status

Smoke-free environments: Smoking is completely banned in health and educational facilities and on public transport. Smoking will also be banned in other indoor workplaces and public places, however the law allows for these areas to have designated smoking rooms.

Advertising, promotion and sponsorship: Vietnam has a comprehensive ban on tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship. Tobacco advertising in international TV, radio and print media is still allowed.

Warning labels: Currently, warning labels are text-only and cover 30 percent of the front and 30 percent of the back of packages.

Tobacco taxes: Tobacco taxes in Vietnam are below the rate recommended by the World Bank (from 65 percent to 80 percent of retail price) that is commonly present in countries with effective tobacco control policies.