Hanoi offers no-smoking tourist areas

Hanoi, March 4 (VNA) – Hanoi has unveiled a plan to develop exemplary no-smoking tourism areas in an attempt to build a friendly and civilised image in the eye of both domestic and international visitors. The plan aims to establish such models as “no-smoking tourist sites”, “no-smoking restaurants and hotels” and “no-smoking offices”, particularly in popular gathering places such as the Old Quarter, shopping malls and Hoan Kiem Lake. Besides posters and leaflets, the city will also make the most of the media and radio stations to spread messages on harmful effects of smoking to every corner in the city. Inter-sector inspections will be conducted and fines will be levied on violators. Tourism is an important economic sector which contributes a considerable share to Hanoi’s budget. In 2014, the capital city welcomed 16.5 million tourists, including 3 million international tourists, up 16 percent from 2013. Vietnam’s Law on Tobacco Harm Prevention, which took effect on May 1, 2013, bans smoking in public places but the regulation has not been enforced effectively./.