How can we persuade more people to stop smoking?

About 7,000 people die annually in Laos, equal to 19 people a day, from smoking-related illnesses, including non-smokers who succumb after years of breathing second-hand smoke. To mark World No Tobacco Day on May 31, Vientiane Times asked members of the public what they thought should be done to enforce no-smoking rules in Laos.

Ms Chanthy Somenith, a resident of Xaythany district, Vientiane: Fortunately, there aren’t any smokers in my family and I often warn my children about the harmful effects of smoking. I remind them it’s not good for their health and is a waste of money. I’m quite strict about this because I don’t want to live with people who smoke. When I read about the number of people who die or fall ill from smoking, I feel very sad. It would be good if the government banned the manufacture and importing of tobacco products. I would like all families to advise their children about the risks they run as smokers, to discourage them from taking up the habit.
Ms Kee, an employee in Vientiane province: Smoking is bad for everyone. I don’t like smoking and I can’t stand it when there’s someone smoking nearby. As we know, both smokers and people close to them are affected by cigarette smoke, and it has both direct and indirect impacts. It’s not good that so many smokers don’t care about the feelings and health of other people and don’t follow the regulations on smoking. Some people also don’t take any notice of no-smoking signs. It’s good that authorities have declared some parks and other public places as smoke-free areas. Making these places smoke-free will reduce the risk of illness from smoking for everyone. It will help to protect the health of the community in general and make people aware of the dangers of cigarettes, especially youngsters. The authorities should distribute more information about the effects of smoking and publicise the regulations regarding no-smoking signs.
 
Ms Ning Lounna, a govenment official in Luang Namtha province: I think many smokers don’t know the rules or realise there are no-smoking signs and think they can smoke wherever they want to. The rules on smoking and the meaning of signs that prohibit it, and information about the impacts of smoking need to be more widely distributed. Smokers should be made aware of the rules. We shouldn’t stay close to a smoker or to cigarette smoke. Smokers should try to give up the habit because it isn’t good for themselves or those around them. I don’t think it’s too difficult to give up smoking, but you have to be strong willed.
 
Ms Phonly Lattanavong, an employee in Vientiane: Smoking is bad for one’s health, and it’s very dangerous for children and most people don’t like it. It’s not good that so many people smoke openly, and even worse that many are inconsiderate and aren’t concerned about the risks of smoking and the effect they may have on others. I often hear people, especially women, complaining about smokers.  Many people have a strong dislike of smoking and argue with those who don’t consider the feelings of others. To remind the public, especially smokers, to be more aware of this matter, we should have more no-smoking signs and they should not only be displayed in public places but the authorities should also put up instructions alongside the signs so that smokers know exactly how they should comply. If smokers don’t follow the rules, they should be punished.

By Lamphone Pasanthong
(Latest Update May 27, 2022)