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The Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) and partner organizations, marked National No Tobacco Day and World No Tobacco Day 2026 at Mahosot Hospital in Vientiane on May 30, calling for stronger action to protect children and youth from tobacco and nicotine addiction.
The event was held under the theme, “Exposing the tobacco industry’s strategies to deceive and lure children, adolescents, and youth into nicotine and drug addiction.” It brought together health officials, medical professionals, teachers, and students from nine schools in Vientiane Capital.
Speaking at the event, Health Minister Bounkham Khamphithoun highlighted the devastating impact of tobacco use, noting that smoking claims up to 8 million lives globally each year, including about 6,700 deaths annually in Laos, equivalent to 18 deaths every day.
She warned that tobacco and nicotine companies continue to target young people through flavored products, attractive packaging, and new products such as e-cigarettes, creating misconceptions about their safety while increasing the risk of addiction.
The Ministry of Health reaffirmed its commitment to tobacco control through measures including smoke-free public places, bans on tobacco advertising, higher tobacco taxes, restrictions on sales to minors, and prohibitions on tobacco sales near educational institutions.
The ministry called on all sectors of society to strengthen implementation of tobacco-control laws and work together to protect children and youth from nicotine addiction, contributing to improved public health and the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 3.
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