Smoking in Vietnam is a concern in Vietnam, with an estimated 50% of men and 5% of women using tobacco, an estimated 18 million smokers in 2013.^[1] In the same year, 47 million non-smokers in Vietnam are also regularly exposed to tobacco smoke.^[2] Vietnam’s Health Education and Communication Center estimates that 40,000 people die annually in Vietnam from first or second hand smoking, and that if nothing is done 10% of the Vietnamese population will have died from smoking by 2030.^[1][2] Second-hand smoking was noted to have worsened over the years, with more measures required for smoke-free and favorable environment for smokers to quit noted.^[3]

Thuốc lào

A traditional form of tobacco smoking in Vietnam is called Thuốc lào, where the highly potent leaves of the Nicotiana rustica plant (called Thuốc lào) are smoked through a water pipe which is called điếu cày. A "rít" of thuốc lào is followed by a flood of nicotine to the bloodstream that induces strong dizziness that lasts several seconds, with even heavy cigarette smokers reportedly have had trouble with the smoke and high nicotine content. Side effects commonly include nausea and vomiting.

Smoking Thuốc lào poses serious injury and health risks, and is considered far more dangerous than cigarette consumption. There are several instances of individuals choking to death or suffering sudden respiratory failure due to the sudden inhalation of large amounts of smoke. ^[4]

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