Citation

Tran, T.P.T., Nguyen, T.N.P., Tran, T.P.T., Nguyen, B.N., Nguyen, T.L., Phan, T.H., Luong, N.K., The, S.D., Lim, M.K., Quah, A.C.K., Thompson, M.E., Fong, G.T., Hoang, V.M., Oh, J.K. (2025). What cigarette price would drive Vietnamese people who smoke to quit smoking? Findings from 2019-2020 the ITC Vietnam Surveys. Tobacco Control, [Published online Jun 12, doi: doi:10.1136/tc-2024-059029].

Abstract

Background

Tobacco taxation is the most effective strategy for reducing tobacco consumption, yet it remains underused globally, especially in low- and middle-income countries. This study aimed to investigate the price that would lead Vietnamese people who smoke to quit smoking and examine the impact of non-tax tobacco control policies on this price.

Methods

Cross-sectional data from Waves 2 and 3 of the International Tobacco Control Project in Vietnam were analysed. The price to quit was assessed by a question ’What price for a pack of cigarettes would make you try to quit smoking?’. Tobit models were used to examine the association between non-tax policies (ie, noticing health warnings, anti-smoking advertising, use of cessation services and workplace smoke-free policies) and the price to quit.

Results

The weighted median of the price to quit for a cigarette pack was Vietnam dong (VND)20 000 (US$0.86), which doubled the weighted median of the purchased price of VND10 000 (US$0.43). If cigarette prices increased by VND2000 or VND5000, 27.4% and 42.8% of people who smoke would intend to quit smoking, respectively. Price increases that doubled or tripled current prices would lead 70.7% and 82.9% of people who smoke to consider quitting smoking, respectively. Smoke-free policies at workplace were associated with a lower price to quit.

Conclusion

Given that the current cigarette prices are very low and affordable, substantial price increases are needed to motivate quitting. Adding specific taxes in addition to the existing ad valorem system could enhance the effectiveness of tobacco taxation.

Citation

Nguyen, T.N.P., Love, J., Hunsberger, M., Tran, T.P.T., Nguyen, T.L., Phan, T.H., Luong, N.K., Minh, H.V., Ng, N. (2023). Individual-, social- and policy- factors associated with smoking cessation among adult male cigarette smokers in Hanoi, Vietnam: a longitudinal study. BMC Public Health, 23, 1883. doi: 10.1186/s12889-023-16781-7.

Abstract

Background: Nearly one-in-two Vietnamese men smoke cigarettes placing them among the highest tobacco consumers in the world. Despite the need for smoking cessation to curb the burden of tobacco-related diseases in Vietnam, this rate remains at less than 30%. Therefore, this study examines individual-, social- and policy factors associated with smoking cessation among adult male smokers in Vietnam.

Methods: We established a longitudinal International Tobacco Control study of male smokers in Hanoi, Vietnam, in September 2018. This paper analyses 1525 men who participated in baseline and one-year follow-up. We applied a weighted multivariable logistic regression to examine the association between smoking cessation and individual-, social- and policy predictors.

Results: At follow-up, 14.8% of participants had quit smoking for at least 30 consecutive days during the last year. Among the persistent smokers, 56.6% expressed intention to quit smoking. Factors associated with smoking cessation included a lower number of cigarettes smoked per day (aOR?=?0.96, 95% CI: 0.94, 0.99) and having several attempts to quit smoking (aOR?=?2.16, 95% CI 1.13, 4.12). Intention to quit smoking was associated with multiple quit attempts, a chronic condition diagnosis, more tobacco-related knowledge, greater self-efficacy, and more worries about their future health. The perceived impact of smoke-free policy and health warning labels were positively associated with intention to quit at any stage.

Conclusions: Interventions aimed at increasing smoking cessation should focus on all aspects of individual, social, and policy factors. Persistent smokers are more motivated to quit if they have made multiple quit attempts, more self-efficacy of quitting and worried about their future health, indicating that increasing smokers’ beliefs and knowledge may be important for behavioural change. Health warning labels and tobacco taxation policies should be maintained and promoted as they are perceived to be particularly useful for persistent smokers’ intention to quit.