Many people still smoke in places a ban is expectedly in place, and reinforced by Framework Charter on Tobacco Control validated by the PM from and on January 1st, 2010.

 

The action plan of this Framework Charter noted that “from January 1st, 2010, smoking is banned in classrooms, kindergartens, clinics, libraries, cinemas, theatres, culture houses, production and working spaces housed in high risk of fire and explosion, and on public vehicles. In public houses, smoking is only allowed in smoking-only areas. No-smoking symbols and signs should be in places that prohibit smoking.” However, in real life, things are different across places.

 

Smokers still smoke freely in passengers’ lounge of Binh Duong passenger station.

 

We came to Binh Duong passenger station in one morning and witnessed many people young and old still smoke freely right in banned places. In response to our question, one smoker said: “I know, but many others smoke without being appealed and I can smoke too.” In many buses departing from the station, we saw plenty people still holding their cigarettes. Many young people even smiled at us when we were trying to take photographs. “Any bus has its No-smoking signs and if people smoke we will advise them not to; however, aware people cause no problem to us while many others scold back at us and we have to listen.”

 

In Binh Duong Hospital, many patients’ relative or even the patients themselves still smoke despite No-smoking signs are in place.

 

In Traditional Medicine Hospital, we caught sight of one smoking young man helping an elder in spite of No-smoking signs and a large banner with content against smoking in the front gate.

 

Existing sanctions are not in place

 

Decree No. 45/2005/ND-CP rules that smoking behavior in public places will be warned by money sanctions from VND 50,000 to VND 100,000 per violation; however, not only in Binh Duong province but also nation wide, there have been no sanctions so far.

Leaders of hospitals and places with smoking ban in place response to Binh Duong Newspaper’s reporters in the same way in which they only notice the smokers of a ban and nothing more can they do.

 

One inspector of Health Department explained that the department just does not have enough forces to punish smokers in public places let alone that they may face difficulties in proving violation of the smokers.

According to this inspector, beyond propaganda against tobacco’s bad effects on health, the competent authorities should issue guiding documents in details of processing and administrative sanctions against smokers.

 

Only by doing so can public places be refreshed without tobacco’s smoke.

Reported by Nhan Quang – Translated by Vi Bao