Submission ID 131516
| Issue/Objective | Addressing the commercial determinants of health requires not only strong evidence but effective translation into policy action. In Vietnam, tobacco control has achieved significant progress, while sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) taxation has only recently been adopted following a prolonged and contested process. This study examines how lessons from tobacco control were applied to SSB tax advocacy, with the objective of identifying practical strategies for translating evidence into policy and overcoming political and commercial barriers. |
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| Methodology/Approach | A qualitative comparative policy analysis was conducted on tobacco and SSB taxation in Vietnam (2015-2025). Data sources included policy documents, public statements, and secondary literature, complemented by stakeholder insights from government, civil society, and technical experts. The analysis focused on three dimensions of evidence-to-policy translation: (1) policy framing and use of evidence; (2) stakeholder engagement and coalition-building; and (3) management of industry interference and competing economic narratives. |
| Results | Across both sectors, industry actors deployed similar strategies, including lobbying, economic arguments against regulation, and corporate social responsibility initiatives to influence policy narratives. Tobacco control benefited from stronger institutional safeguards, clearer legal frameworks, and sustained coalition-building, enabling more effective translation of evidence into policy. In contrast, SSB taxation, while ultimately adopted, resulted in a modest tax rate and delayed implementation. Translation of evidence into policy was constrained by gaps in legal definitions, limited awareness of health risks, weaker domestic evidence, and fragmented policy framing. Key enabling strategies included aligning evidence with national priorities, early agenda-setting, proactive management of conflicts of interest, and sustained, multi-channel engagement with policymakers and the public. |
| Discussion/Conclusion | This study demonstrates that translating evidence into policy requires more than technical data; it depends on strength of governance, strategic framing, and the ability to manage commercial influence. Applying lessons from tobacco control, particularly in safeguarding policymaking and strengthening coalitions, can enhance the effectiveness of nutrition policy advocacy. Vietnam's experience highlights practical approaches for bridging evidence to policy in contested environments and offers transferable lessons for other low- and middle-income countries seeking to advance equitable health policies. |
| Presenters and Affiliations | Nguyen An HealthBridge Vietnam An Nguyen Thi HealthBridge Vietnam Chau Lai Minh HealthBridge Vietnam Nguyen Hanh Nguyen HealthBridge Vietnam |
