News of smoking ban circulating slowly on Vietnam’s transport system

Enforcement of Vietnam’s anti-tobacco law, which came into force in May, is proving difficult, in part because many smokers don’t know about the new rules, according to a VietnamPlus story.

The law prohibits smoking on buses and airplanes, in indoor public places and at bus terminals, train stations and ports.

It requires, too, that separate smoking areas be provided on ships and trains.

However, it is common to see people smoking cigarettes in many public places, such as bus terminals and train stations, and, by doing so, making themselves liable to fines of VND100,000–300,000 (US$4.70–14.20).

Ho Huu Hoa, deputy director of the legal department of the Ministry of Transport, admitted that smoking was still rampant in many offices, stations and on public transport.

However, Hoa said the ban had been effectively implemented at airports and during flights, showing that enforcement was not an impossible task.