Youth smoking: A growing public health concern in Vietnam

Youth smoking is becoming an increasingly alarming issue. Currently, the rate of young people using traditional cigarettes and e-cigarettes remains high, posing serious risks to both personal health and the wider community. The Vietnamese government has introduced the National Strategy on Tobacco Harm Prevention and Control through 2030, aiming to reduce smoking rates, tighten control over e-cigarettes, and increase tobacco taxes to curb consumption.

The rate of tobacco use among young people remains high. More than 39 percent of men aged 15 and above are smokers. Meanwhile, new trends such as e-cigarettes, shisha, and heated tobacco products are rapidly spreading among young people, especially in urban areas. Under the national strategy through 2030, Vietnam aims to reduce the smoking rate among men to below 39 percent and among women to below 1.4 percent, while also lowering exposure to secondhand smoke in workplaces, restaurants, and hotels. The strategy also focuses on preventing the use of e-cigarettes, shisha, and other emerging tobacco products. In addition, the government has introduced policies to raise tobacco taxes and impose minimum pricing regulations in an effort to reduce consumption. The 2012 Law on Prevention and Control of Tobacco Harms bans smoking in public places and prohibits tobacco advertising and promotions. The Tobacco Harm Prevention Fund regularly organizes communication campaigns, World No Tobacco Day activities, and school competitions to raise awareness.

The harmful effects of tobacco are not limited to smokers themselves but also seriously affect the community. Secondhand smoke poses significant health risks to people nearby, especially children and pregnant women. Although the government has introduced strategies and legal measures to control tobacco use, greater cooperation from families, schools, and society remains essential. Most importantly, there is a need to change young people’s perceptions, helping them understand that smoking is not “fashionable” or a symbol of “status,” but rather a burden on health and finances.

Nguyet Hang