Vietnam is another addition to the list of countries, which have issued a smoking ban in public places. They have also said that sale of tobacco products near educational premises and selling of tobacco products to under-18 children will be an offence.

All the mentioned laws will get active in May 2013. The news has been welcomed by anti-smoking campaign groups. One of the groups named as Southeast Asia Tobacco Control Alliance (SEATCA) said that they are quite happy with the decision and further affirmed that it was much needed for the country.

Bungon Ritthiphakdee, who is director of SEATCA, was of the view that they have gone through the law and are quite satisfied to know that the laws have been made on the lines of the World Health Organization (WHO) framework. "We are very happy about this development”, affirmed Ritthiphakdee.

It was very important to take such decision as 40,000 people lose their lives due to tobacco products. If sources are to be believed then there are 15.3 million smokers in the country, and are risking their life greatly.

Some of the places, which will see smoking ban are educational institutions, medical facilities and on public transport and in office buildings.