The ministry, World Health Organization (WHO), and the World Lung Foundation on December 18 launched a national campaign against smoking.

The program calls for adherence to a decision recently signed by Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung to adopt the WHO’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.

Under the campaign, anyone caught smoking in public areas including schools, office buildings, theaters, cultural houses, factories, places vulnerable to fire and explosion, and public transport vehicles will be fined.

The fines range from warnings to financial penalties of VND50,000-100,000.

Inspectors from concerned agencies and People’s Committees in localities will administer the penalties.

VNN/SGGP