After more than 12 years of implementing tobacco control measures, the rate of active smoking among adults in Vietnam has decreased, but ultimately, it is still high when compared globally.

Representative of the World Health Organisation (WHO) in Vietnam Angela Pratt has called on the country to raise tobacco tax and prices, which are still among the world’s lowest.

The smoking rate among men in many provinces and cities last year fell compared to 2017 as a result of agencies’ efforts to implement tobacco harm-prevention programmes, Dr Phan Thi Hai, deputy head of the Tobacco Harm Prevention Fund, said at a conference held in HCM City last week.

The enforcement of the law on tobacco harm reduction should be promoted in ministries, branches and local authorities to reduce dangers from smoking and lower the death rate caused by smoking.