The key to a smoke-free environment

- In recent years, the work of preventing and combating the harmful effects of tobacco in the province has been implemented synchronously, in which communication activities are considered an important "key" to help change awareness, form positive habits, and move towards building a healthy, smoke-free living environment.

Lang Son Lung Hospital staff educate patients about preventing the harmful effects of tobacco.

At Lang Son Lung Hospital, billboards, posters, signs, and smoking ban regulations are hung along the corridors and entrances so that everyone entering and leaving the hospital can easily see them. Mr. Nong Van Hung, Na Duong commune, said: My father has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. When I went to the hospital to take care of him, the medical staff informed me about the harmful effects of tobacco and reminded me not to smoke in the hospital. Thanks to that, my father was able to quit smoking after a period of treatment. I also limited my smoking and absolutely did not smoke in the hospital area.

Not only hospitals, regular and continuous propaganda is carried out by many agencies, units, schools, hospitals, restaurants, hotels, tourist attractions... Mr. Duong Cong Hanh, owner of Mo Mam stream tourist attraction (Hoan Trung village, Vu Le commune) shared: Recognizing the harmful effects of cigarette smoke on health, we always strictly implement the criteria for building a smoke-free environment such as: posting no-smoking signs in restaurants and rooms; arranging separate smoking areas in airy places, not affecting the environment and tourists. Thereby, tourists also raise awareness, together preserving a clean, smoke-free environment.

The above reality shows that propaganda plays a very important role in raising people's awareness and building a smoke-free environment. In recent years, the Provincial Steering Committee for People's Health Protection and Care has strengthened communication and raised awareness of Party committees, authorities, mass organizations, agencies, units and people in the area. From 2024 to now, the whole province has organized 5 training courses with the participation of more than 350 officials from various sectors, and at the same time, conducted a survey on tobacco use in 2,400 households and 50 agencies and units.

In particular, from 2024 to present, Lang Son Newspaper and Radio and Television Station have broadcast and published more than 100 news, articles and reports on the harmful effects of tobacco in the columns "Health and Life", "Law and Life" and news programs. The propaganda content focuses on clearly stating the harmful effects of tobacco on health; praising outstanding collectives and individuals in building a smoke-free working environment.

Along with that, from 2024 to now, agencies, units, mass organizations, and schools in the area have organized more than 300 propaganda sessions attracting more than 24,000 cadres, union members, students, and people to participate. Many units have flexibly applied new forms of communication, taking advantage of social networks to quickly reach people, especially young people. At the grassroots level, villages, hamlets, and neighborhoods organize propaganda through branch activities, people's meetings, hanging billboards, banners, and signs prohibiting smoking in public places, schools, and medical facilities.

At the same time, the Department of Health coordinated with the Provincial Police to strengthen inspection and handling of cases of illegal trading and advertising, and at the same time widely propagate the harmful effects of these products. Mr. Phan Lac Hoai Thanh, Deputy Director of the Department of Health, Deputy Head of the Provincial Steering Committee for Protection and Care of People's Health, said: Communication plays a key role in preventing and combating the harmful effects of tobacco, because only when people are fully aware and act voluntarily can real and sustainable changes be created. In the coming time, the Steering Committee will continue to orientate innovation in propaganda methods in a diverse, close, and people-centered direction, from direct communication in the community to spreading through digital platforms. In particular, in the context of new generation tobacco products such as electronic cigarettes and heated tobacco products on the rise, we have directed to strengthen propaganda and warnings about the harmful effects, while mobilizing people to voluntarily hand over these products to the authorities.

Communication work continues to be focused on by the Provincial Steering Committee, as the "key" to help open the door to awareness, arouse self-awareness and action for community health, towards the goal: by the end of 2025, the whole province will have over 95% of people clearly understanding the harmful effects of tobacco, over 85% of administrative agencies strictly implementing regulations prohibiting smoking in the workplace, 100% of schools maintain "smoke-free campuses".

Source: https://baolangson.vn/chia-khoa-xay-dung-moi-truong-khong-khoi-thuoc-5062695.html