Smoking in non-smoking locations is now subject to a fine of up to VND300,000 (US$14.40), according to a new regulation.

This is one of the provisions of a governmental decree on administrative penalties for violations in the field of health. The decree will take effect on December 31, 2013.  Under the decree, acts of smoking in places that ban smoking or leaving cigarette ash or ends in improper places will incur fines between VND100,000-300,000. Meanwhile, organizations will be fined VND3-5 million for failing to install “no smoking” signs in places that ban smoking by law. The same fine rates also apply to organizations that fail to stop people from smoking in places where it’s banned or fail to check and control compliance with regulations that ban smoking on their premises by staff and visitors.       A heavier fine, VND5-10 million ($480), will be given to organizations where smoking areas/rooms are set up but are not separated properly from other areas, are not equipped with proper air ventilation systems, lack signs in appropriate and easily seen places, or lack equipment to extinguish fires. Traders of cigarettes who fail to show a sign board reading “Cigarettes are banned to be sold to those under 18 years of age” will be fined VND500,000 to VND1 million. If cigarettes traders are discovered selling cigarettes to minors, they will be fined VND1-2 million. Producers of cigarettes will be fined VND20-30 million ($1,440) if their packages are not in accordance with prevailing regulations. Their packages must contain images of the harmful effects of cigarettes to one’s health in a specific location and size. Those who have the authority to issue the fines under the Decree are chairpersons of people’s committees of all levels, health inspectors, market management officers, police, border guards, marine police, tax officers, and financial inspectors.  Nguyen Huy Quang, head of the Legislation Department of the Health Ministry, said that the authorized person in places where violations of the Decree occur have the right to write a report regarding the violations and send them to the above-mentioned authorities to issue the appropriate fines.  

Despite public health campaigns, smoking remains the leading avoidable cause of death worldwide, killing almost six million people a year, mostly in low-and middle-income countries, the World Health Organization warned at a conferecne in July 2013.

Therefore, every country has the responsibility to protect its population from tobacco-related illness, disability and death, WHO Director-General Dr Margaret Chan said.