Effectively implement legal policies on prevention and control of tobacco harms

On the morning of April 8, the working delegation of the National Assembly's Committee on Culture and Society, led by Vice Chairwoman Do Thi Lan, had a working session at the Department of Health to survey the implementation of policies and laws on tobacco harm prevention and control (PCTHTL) in Thanh Hoa province.

The working delegation of the National Assembly 's Committee on Culture and Society surveyed the implementation of policies and laws on tobacco harm prevention and control in Thanh Hoa.

Attending the conference were Provincial Party Committee members: Nguyen Quang Hai, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Council; Mai Van Hai, Deputy Head of the Provincial National Assembly Delegation.

Representatives of Thanh Hoa Department of Health reported on the implementation of policies and laws on tobacco harm prevention and control in Thanh Hoa province.

To effectively implement the legal policies on tobacco control, Thanh Hoa province has developed an implementation plan, established the Provincial Steering Committee for Tobacco Control and assigned the Department of Health as the standing agency responsible for advising the Provincial People's Committee to issue directive documents and plans to implement the Law on Tobacco Control and related documents; preside over and coordinate with relevant departments and branches to organize tobacco control activities in the whole province. At the same time, departments, branches and socio-political organizations, based on their functions and tasks, implement tobacco control activities to ensure strict implementation of the Law on Tobacco Control; coordinate with press agencies to develop specialized pages and columns to propagate tobacco control work; organize information and propaganda activities, disseminate knowledge about the harmful effects of tobacco, regulations of the Law on Tobacco Control and related guiding documents. The competent authorities in the province actively and strictly control the licensing of tobacco business; Require full compliance with legal conditions; inspect and strictly handle cigarette sales points without business licenses...

In 2 years (2023 and 2024), 93 violations in the field of tobacco production and trading were handled, administrative fines of 287 million VND were imposed, the value of destroyed goods was more than 138 million VND...

Acting Director of the Department of Health Nguyen Ba Can spoke at the conference.

Thanh Hoa province recommends that the Government issue legal documents regulating the business activities of electronic cigarettes, heated tobacco products, shisha, etc. to address the smuggling of these products, ensuring feasibility when making decisions on penalties. Issue policies to increase special consumption tax on cigarettes. Increase the area of ​​health warnings on cigarette packaging. Propose that the Ministry of Health preside over and coordinate with relevant ministries and branches to study and support localities with funding to implement the model of tobacco control collaborators. Deploy tobacco cessation counseling rooms. The Tobacco Control Fund has regulations and spending norms for the activities of the Provincial Tobacco Control Steering Committee, activities to inspect the implementation of the Tobacco Control Law; allowances for concurrent positions for the team doing inspection, examination, supervision and implementation of tobacco control activities...

Members of the survey team discussed at the conference.

At the conference, members of the Survey Team and departments and branches exchanged and discussed difficulties and obstacles in the process of implementing legal regulations on tobacco control such as: Controlling the business and advertising of tobacco products, especially new tobacco products on the internet; coordination in inspection and examination of the trade and import of smuggled tobacco; sanctions related to tobacco; management and punishment of smoking in public places...

Vice Chairwoman of the National Assembly's Committee on Culture and Society Do Thi Lan delivered a concluding speech at the conference.

Concluding the conference, Vice Chairwoman of the National Assembly's Committee on Culture and Society Do Thi Lan acknowledged and highly appreciated the achievements of Thanh Hoa province in implementing policies and laws on PCTHTL. With the province's recommendations, the Delegation received and synthesized them as a basis for reporting to the National Assembly and proposing to the Government to find solutions and support in the coming time.

At the conference, the Department of Health - the standing agency of the Provincial Steering Committee for HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control respectfully accepted the opinions of the Survey Team and will complete the full report according to the content requested by the Team.

Previously, the working group of the Committee for Culture and Society conducted a field survey at Thanh Hoa Tobacco Company Limited.

To Ha

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/thuc-hien-co-hieu-qua-chinh-sach-phap-luat-ve-phong-chong-tac-hai-cua-thuoc-la-244925.htm