Anti-smoking fund to be supplied by producers and smokers
The establishment of the Tobacco Prevention Fund has got support from many NA deputies who agreed the money should be collected from smokers, producers and traders.
Illegal tobacco being destroyed
At the third session of the 13th National Assembly on May 22 many deputies agreed that the fund would provide foundation for the implementation of the Law on Tobacco Prevention and Control.Chairwoman of the National Assembly Committee for Social Affairs, Truong Thi Mai, said that the draft law had been revised in order to make it more effective in reducing the use of tobacco production nationwide.
A number of deputies suggested that the State budget should provide annual funding, but that the amount should not exceed 2% of the total fund. The rest is to be collected from other individuals and organisations through donations.
Others suggested that the fund be raised solely from tobacco producers and importers, as a percentage of cigarette prices before VAT and special-use taxes.
"Financial resources for the tobacco prevention fund should be taken from tobacco producers, traders and consumers rather than from the State budget," said deputy Pham Khanh Phong Lan from HCM City. "We shouldn't force people who do not use tobacco to pay for it."
Deputy Phong Lan and Deputy Nguyen Thu Anh, from Lam Dong Province, explained that contributing to the fund would not be a large burden on the State or on farmers. Anh stressed that the most important thing is to ensure the transparency and efficiency of its use.
Meanwhile, Minister of Finance Vuong Dinh Hue said: "Money for the fund should be collected directly from smokers through a special consumption tax, as well as from tobacco producers and importers.”
Hue explained that the contribution need not affect the State budget and would not violate current laws or regulations on spending.
Deputy Tran Van Huynh from Vinh Long Province added that smoking should be prohibited in pagodas and other areas of worship, and that the law should clearly define the entities in charge of handling violations at public sites.
"We expect a draft law to be put into place soon in order to reduce the burden on the public health system," said Huynh.
Many deputies also opposed the “re-export” of the seized illegally imported tobacco, saying that all illegal tobacco must be destroyed.
Deputy Pham Khanh Phong Lan suggested stricter punishment for the tobacco smuggling.
The Law on Tobacco Prevention and Control will be revised by the NA’s Standing Committee before being put to a vote on June 18.
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