The event was jointly held by the Vietnam General Confederation ofLabour (VGCL), the Ministry of Health and the World Health Organisation(WHO).
The law on the prevention and control ofsmoking took effect on May 1, 2013, regulating measures aimed toreduce the demand for tobacco and control its supply. This is animportant legal basis to protect people’s health.
Asan organisation acting for the legal interest of workers, the VGCL hasfocused on popularising the harmful effects of smoking, thus raisingtheir awareness of the law as well as preventing the damage smokingcauses, ensuring workers’ rights to live and work in a smoking-freeenvironment.
It has worked with relevant agencies tosupport people involved in cigarette manufacturing to change theirbusiness and issue documents guiding sectors and localities in the work.
According to WHO, Vietnam is one of 15countries with the most smokers in the world. About half of all maleadults (15 years old and above) in the country smoke.-VNA