Penalty for smoking in public transport: 4 months fine… 5 people

Two carefree men smoke cigarettes at Mien Dong bus station (Binh Thanh district, Ho Chi Minh City) and put ashtrays on the ground – Photo: SPRING MAI

Information was announced by the Center for Health Counseling and Community Development (CHD) on May 27, on the occasion of No Tobacco Week (May 25 to 31) and World No Tobacco Day (May 31).

CHD’s representative said that up to now, the punishment of smokers at public transport points such as bus stations, ferry terminals, water terminals… still faces many difficulties, mainly reminders.

“This reason is related to regulations in sanctioning administrative violations and only competent authorities can issue sanctioning decisions. Bus station units mainly handle violations within their units and according to contracts. co-signed with transport units”, the CHD representative added.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), tTobacco smoke contains more than 7,000 chemicals, of which about 70 are carcinogenic, causing diseases such as bronchitis, cough, tuberculosis, lung cancer…

Passive smokers inhaling secondhand smoke are four times more affected than direct smokers.

Tobacco not only affects human health but also “contributes” significantly to the destruction of the environment. According to WHO statistics, every year, about 5% of the forest area is cleared to grow tobacco and use wood to dry tobacco. It is estimated that 18 billion trees are needed each year to make firewood for tobacco drying.

The use of tobacco releases into the environment every year 3,000 – 6,000 tons of formaldehyde, 12,000 – 47,000 tons of nicotine and 300 – 600 million kg of toxic waste from cigarette butts…

In response to No Tobacco Week (May 25-31) and World No Tobacco Day (May 31), CHD coordinated with the Department of Transport of Ho Chi Minh City to deploy communication activities at 11 bus stations, ferry terminals, and waterways in the city from May 25 to 31.

Activities aimed at achieving goalsTo let smokers know clearly about the harmful effects of smoking (active and passive), the penalties for smoking violations in public places. At the same time Do not smoke in the workplace and encourage smokers to quit.