Laos government officials have launched a smoke-free Vientiane to help address health and environmental concerns in the lead-up to the 25th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in December.

Vientiane Vice-Mayor Somvandy Nathavong said the new initiative will target local businesses and people, in particular students and teenagers.

"If someone has smoked for a long time it's hard to tell them to quit, but it will be good if smokers now hesitate when they are around non-smokers. It would be good if those who don't smoke remind smokers of the dangers of smoking," he explained.

The Vientiane Administration office worked in conjunction with the ministry of public health to organise the ceremony, which was supported by the World Health Organisation (WHO), Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) Laos, Southeast Asia Tobacco Control Alliance and Lao-Vietnam Insurance company in Vientiane.

WHO Representative Dr Dongil Ahn said an estimated 5 million people across the globe die annually as a result of tobacco-related illnesses.

"This number will double by the year 2020 unless we take effective action now. In Laos, more than 67 per cent of adult men are smoking. This means a huge number of our citizens are at risk of serious tobacco-related health problems, such as cancer, cardiac disease, and lung disease," he said.

Dr Ahn explained that there are two methods to address the problem of smoking. One way is encouraging smokers to stop smoking. Another effective approach is to limit peoples' exposure to tobacco smoke by banning smoking in public areas, both indoors and outdoors.

WHO reported that breathing the air from someone who is smoking is a proven and significant health hazard. Scientific evidence has demonstrated that even outdoors, people who are within 20m of a smoker are adversely affected.

Dr Ahn said for the benefit of all, in February 2009 the Vientiane governor signed the Implementation of a Smoke Free Policy in public places such as office building, schools, hospital and restaurant in Vientiane city.

"I congratulate Vientiane on implementing such a ban, with the goal of ensuring that the air we breathe in this beautiful city is clean. The smoke-free policy is especially important during mass gatherings, including sports events," Dr Ahn said.

"I believe the policy initiative in Vientiane will further contribute to the health of generations into the future."

"Following today's smoke free initiative, I hope the government will continue to strengthen its anti-tobacco efforts by emphasising the health warnings on cigarette packs, banning advertisement of tobacco and increasing the tax on tobacco products. Such regulations would go far in making Vientiane an even healthier place to live and work," he explained.

ARDA Programme Director, Ms Karmen Till said the launch of the regulation that declares Vientiane smoke-free is an extremely momentous occasion worthy of celebration.

"Our involvement will be in working together with the Ministry of Health and the Vientiane administration office in providing technical support in the development of the policy and regulation, as well as in providing support and guidance for the implementation of public campaigns," she explained.

"This regulation joins Vientiane with many cities around the world that are doing all they can to ensure that public areas and work environments are smoke-free zones. As we all know, smoking is harmful to our health, as well as the health of those around us, particularly children. Laos is already a signatory of the international commitment for tobacco control under the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control," Ms Till explained.

She added the upcoming SEA Games will be a great opportunity for Laos to show its neighbouring countries that they are serious about the problem. Next year, Vientiane will have another opportunity to maximise the benefits of being a smoke-free capital - during the 450th anniversary of Vientiane as the capital of Laos. - Vientiane Times/ANN