(VOVworld) – A press conference to introduce a draft law on countering the harmful effects of tobacco and Vietnam’s response to No Smoking Week, from May 21 to 31, took place on Tuesday in Hanoi.  

A spokesperson for the Ministry of Health said that according to statistics, Vietnam suffers over 40,000 tobacco-related deaths every year, with fatalities to hit 70,000 by 2030. Moreover, two-thirds of non-smokers, most of whom are women and children, suffer from passive smoking at home and in public places. The Ministry of Health has submitted the draft law to deal with tobacco’s harmful effects and is being discussed at the ongoing session of the 13^th National Assembly. Duong Ngoc Khue, head of the Health Examination and Treatment Department spoke at the event: "The draft law on countering tobacco’s harmful effects is based on the WHO’s measures to raise public awareness on the issue. Ministries, agencies and individuals are being encouraged to respond to the no smoking week to publicize the fact that smoking damages your health".