The World Health Organization (WHO) signalled the urgent need for countries to make all indoor public places and workplaces 100% smoke-free with the release of its new policy recommendations on protection from exposure to second-hand tobacco smoke.

"The evidence is clear, there is no safe level of exposure to second-hand tobacco smoke," said the WHO Director General Dr Margaret Chan. "Many countries have already taken action. I urge all countries that have not yet done so to take this immediate and important step to protect the health of all by passing laws requiring all indoor workplaces and public places to be 100% smoke-free."

WHO report that there are about 4,000 known chemicals in tobacco smoke, more than 50 of them are known to cause cancer. Exposure to second-hand smoke causes heart disease and many serious respiratory and cardiovascular diseases that can lead to premature death in adults. It also causes diseases and worsens existing conditions, such as asthma, in children.

Vietnam is among the countries that record the highest percentage of smokers, with 56 percent of young adults smoking.

The WHO estimates that around 700 million children, or almost half of the world's children, breathe air polluted by tobacco smoke, particularly at home. An estimated 200 000 workers die each year due to exposure to smoke at work.

Health experts have warned that no preventive measure, including a single or combination of fans for ventilation or air filter machines, can minimize the consequences of smoke at indoor workplaces.

The Vietnamese Prime Minister has issued an instruction on smoke-free environments at workplaces which will come into effect on June 2. Accordingly, smoking will be banned at workplaces and in public places.