Potential Impact of Graphic Health Warnings on Cigarette Packages in Reducing Cigarette Demand and Smoking-Related Deaths in Vietnam

Hoang, Van Minh,Le, Hong Chung,Kim, Bao Giang,Duong, Minh Duc,Nguyen, Duc Hinh,Vu, Quynh Mai,Nguyen, Manh Cuong,Pham, Duc Manh,Ha, Anh Duc,Yang, Jui-Chen Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2016 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.17 No.no.sup1

Two years after implementation of the graphic health warning intervention in Vietnam, it is very important to evaluate the intervention's potential impact. The objective of this paper was to predict effects of graphic health warnings on cigarette packages, particularly in reducing cigarette demand and smoking-associated deaths in Vietnam. In this study, a discrete choice experiment (DCE) method was used to evaluate the potential impact of graphic tobacco health warnings on smoking demand. To predict the impact of GHWs on reducing premature deaths associated with smoking, we constructed different static models. We adapted the method developed by University of Toronto, Canada and found that GHWs had statistically significant impact on reducing cigarette demand (up to 10.1% through images of lung damage), resulting in an overall decrease of smoking prevalence in Vietnam. We also found that between 428,417- 646,098 premature deaths would be prevented as a result of the GHW intervention. The potential impact of the GHW labels on reducing premature smoking-associated deaths in Vietnam were shown to be stronger among lower socio-economic groups.

Tobacco Control Policies in Vietnam: Review on MPOWER Implementation Progress and Challenges

Hoang, Van Minh,Tran, Thu Ngan,Vu, Quynh Mai,Nguyen, Thi Tuyet My,Le, Hong Chung,Vu, Duy Kien,Tran, Tuan Anh,Nguyen, Bao Ngoc,Vu, Van Giap,Nguyen, Manh Cuong,Pham, Duc Manh,Kim, Bao Giang Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2016 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.17 No.no.sup1

In Vietnam, the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) took effect in March 2005 while MPOWER has been implemented since 2008. This paper describes the progress and challenges of implementation of the MPOWER package in Vietnam. We can report that, in term of monitoring, Vietnam is very active in the Global Tobacco Surveillance System, completing two rounds of the Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) and three rounds of the Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS). To protect people from tobacco smoke, Vietnam has issued and enforced a law requiring comprehensive smoking bans at workplaces and public places since 2013. Tobacco advertising and promotion are also prohibited with the exception of points of sale displays of tobacco products. Violations come in the form of promotion girls, corporate social responsibility activities from tobacco manufacturers and packages displayed by retail vendors. Vietnam is one of the 77 countries that require pictorial health warnings to be printed on cigarette packages to warn about the danger of tobacco and the warnings have been implemented effectively. Cigarette tax is 70% of factory price which is equal to less than 45% of retail price and much lower than the recommendation of WHO. However, Vietnam is one of the very few countries that require manufacturers and importers to make "compulsory contributions" at 1-2% of the factory price of cigarettes sold in Vietnam for the establishment of a Tobacco Control Fund (TCF). The TCF is being operated well. In 2015, 67 units of 63 provinces/cities, 22 ministries and political-social organizations and 6 hospitals received funding from TCF to implement a wide range of tobacco control activities. Cessation services have been starting with a a toll-free quit-line but need to be further strengthened. In conclusion, Vietnam has constantly put efforts into the tobacco control field with high commitment from the government, scientists and activists. Though several remarkable achievements have been gained, many challenges remain. To overcome those challenges, implementation strategies that take into account the contextual factors and social determinants of tobacco use in Vietnam are needed.

Impact of Digital Literacy on Intention to Use Technology for Online Distribution of Higher Education in Vietnam: A Study of Covid19 Context

LE Thi Lan Huong,HOANG Vu Hiep,HOANG Mai Duc Minh,NGUYEN Hong Phuc,BUI Xuan Bach 한국유통과학회 2022 유통과학연구 Vol.20 No.6

Purpose: This research aims to provide empirical evidence on the impact of digital literacy on behavioural intention regarding using technology for distribution of higher education. Design, Methodology, and Approach: Quantitative analysis was carried out using Covariance-Based Structural Equation Model with data collected from 901 students who fully experienced 2-year study online at different universities in Vietnam. The structural model was built with digital literacy as the primary indicator and other variables were included based on modified version of Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT2) by adopting performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, habit, and hedonic motivation variables specifically for education sector. Self-efficacy was added to eliminate possible bias in technology acceptance. Results: From the results of model estimation, digital literacy presented positive impact on the online distribution of higher education in Vietnam. The mediating effects of various indicators such as performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, habit, hedonic motivation, and self-efficacy are significantly determined by research model. Conclusion: The higher level of digital literacy of the students, the more likely that they will use technology in higher education study, especially online learning. Additionally, the mediating effects of indicators from the UTAUT2 theoretical model were also evident to be positively significant.

Uptake of arsenic and heavy metals by native plants growing near Nui Phao multi-metal mine, northern Vietnam

Ha, Nguyen Thi Hoang,Ha, Nguyen Thi,Nga, Tran Thi Huyen,Minh, Nguyen Ngoc,Anh, Bui Thi Kim,Hang, Nguyen Thi An,Duc, Nguyen Anh,Nhuan, Mai Trong,Kim, Kyoung-Woong Elsevier 2019 Applied geochemistry Vol.108 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>Phytoremediation is a plant-based, environment-friendly, and cost-effective technology that can be potentially used to remediate contaminated media. This study was conducted to evaluate the phytoextraction and phytostabilization potential, two common techniques of phytoremediation, of 21 plant species growing naturally at the largest tungsten (W) mine in Vietnam—the second largest production of W in the world. The average concentrations in different soil fractions were in the following order: residue > organically complexed, Fe- and Mn oxide-bound > carbonate bound > exchangeable. The total concentrations of arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn) in the soil varied by 34–3390, 4.87–81.6, 14.3–2080, and 21.9–370 mg/kg, respectively. The concentrations of As, Cd, Cu, and Zn in the shoots ranged 0.71–2400, 0.05–5.55, 4.81–249, and 13.3–380 mg/kg-DW, respectively. The concentrations of As and Cd in all soil samples and Cu in 70% of soil samples collected around the mine fluctuated within 2–227, 3–54, and up to 21-folds higher than the maximum allowable limit for agricultural soils in Vietnam (QCVN 03-MT:2015/BTNMT). The results indicated that hyperaccumulation levels (mg/kg-DW) were obtained for only As in <I>Pityrogramma calomelanos</I> (2400) and <I>Pteris vittata</I> L. (1860). Based on the recorded hyperaccumulation levels, translocation and accumulation factors, biomass, and fast growth of these plants, <I>P. calomelanos</I> and <I>P. vittata</I> were considered to be promising native plants for the phytoextraction of As contaminated soils. <I>Bidens pilosa</I> L. also has great potential for phytostabilization of mining soils contaminated with As and heavy metals.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> Soils near multi-metal (W–F–Cu–Au–Bi) mine were contaminated with As, Cd, Cu. </LI> <LI> Arsenic in shoots were in order of Fern > Monocotyledonae > Dicotyledonae. </LI> <LI> <I>Pityrogramma calomelanos</I> and <I>Pteris vittata</I> L. suggested for phytoextraction of As. </LI> <LI> <I>Bidens pilosa</I> L. suggested for the phytostabilization of mining contaminated soils. </LI> </UL> </P>