Nearly half of Vietnamese exposed to secondhand smoke at home: health officials

At an event held on Nguyen Hue Pedestrian Street in Ho Chi Minh City, the Fund for Prevention and Control of Tobacco Harms under the Ministry of Health said 47.6 percent of residents were exposed to secondhand smoke at home, while 42.6 percent of households had no smoking bans. 

The rates were 67.8 percent in restaurants, 52.9 percent in coffee shops and 58.8 percent in bars and clubs, according to a 2024 survey.

Ha Anh Duc, director of the fund and head of the Department of Medical Service Administration, said the campaign aims to strengthen enforcement of smoke-free rules to protect public health. 

"There is no safe level of exposure to tobacco smoke," he said, citing the World Health Organization.

Vietnam reports about 103,000 tobacco-related deaths annually, including nearly 18,800 from secondhand smoke, according to health ministry data.

Duc said maintaining smoke-free hotels, restaurants and tourist sites not only complies with the law but also reflects social responsibility and improves Vietnam's tourism image.

The campaign, held earlier in localities including Hue, Nha Trang and Da Nang, also featured public awareness activities such as a cycling rally and the installation of 'No Smoking' signs at nearly 200 hotels and restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City.

The health ministry said it would continue to support local authorities with training, materials and supervision to expand smoke-free tourism models nationwide.