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- To combat the harmful effects of tobacco and contribute to reducing the risk of tobacco-related diseases, in recent years, functional agencies at all levels in the province have implemented many practical solutions to prevent and control the harmful effects of tobacco, gradually raising community awareness and building a smoke-free environment.

As the standing agency of the Provincial Steering Committee, the Department of Health has proactively advised on and implemented a comprehensive range of tobacco control activities from the provincial level to the grassroots. Mr. Phan Lac Hoai Thanh, Deputy Director of the Department of Health and Deputy Head of the Provincial Steering Committee for the Protection and Care of People's Health, stated: The Department of Health has advised the Provincial Steering Committee to direct departments, agencies, and commune/ward People's Committees to strengthen the implementation of the Law on Tobacco Control; incorporate this content into the operational plans of agencies and units; promote propaganda; organize training and guidance on building smoke-free environments in hospitals, schools, restaurants, and hotels; and coordinate inspections and monitoring of the implementation of regulations at the grassroots level.

Staff at Lang Son Lung Hospital conduct awareness campaigns on preventing and combating the harmful effects of tobacco.

Accordingly, from 2025 to the present, the Department of Health has coordinated the production of nearly 30 news articles, reports, and documentaries promoting tobacco control, e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products, disseminating the Law on Tobacco Control, and building a smoke-free environment on Lang Son Newspaper, Radio and Television, the health sector website, and the Lang Son Health Newsletter. In addition, the health sector organized 6 direct communication sessions at restaurants, hotels, hospitals, schools, and residential areas, attracting nearly 300 participants.

The content of the awareness campaign was implemented flexibly depending on the target group. For students in schools, officials from the Department of Health focused on raising awareness about tobacco use, especially e-cigarettes and new-generation tobacco products. Hoang Minh Tung, an 11th-grade student at Chu Van An High School, shared: "E-cigarettes come in many colors, are compact in shape, and have a pleasant scent, so many students are curious and want to try them. After the awareness session, we understand that e-cigarettes contain nicotine and other substances harmful to health and easily addictive, so we've told each other not to try them even once. If we see friends using them or trying to persuade them, we will advise them to stop and inform our teachers and family so that we can receive timely support."

Alongside public awareness campaigns, the provincial health sector has focused on improving the capacity of its staff involved in the prevention and control of HIV/AIDS. In 2025, the unit organized two training courses for 80 network staff members. In addition, leaders and specialized staff of the Department of Health participated in four conferences, workshops, and training courses organized by the Central HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control Fund, thereby updating their knowledge and experience for effective application at the local level.

At healthcare facilities, tobacco control is linked to building smoke-free hospitals and providing health counseling for patients. Dr. Phuong Van Huong, Head of the Lung Disease Department at Lang Son Lung Hospital, said: "Most patients with chronic respiratory diseases such as chronic bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, and lung cancer often have a history of smoking. Therefore, we often educate and encourage patients to quit smoking to improve treatment effectiveness."

Simultaneously, the health sector has strengthened inspection and supervision of the implementation of legal regulations. From 2025 to the present, the health sector has organized inspections and supervision of activities to prevent and control the harmful effects of tobacco, integrated with the prevention and control of the harmful effects of alcohol and beer, at 10 medical facilities. Through these inspections, the units were instructed to strictly implement the regulations prohibiting smoking, display "no smoking" signs, and intensify propaganda among staff, patients, and their families.

In the coming period, all levels and sectors in the province will continue to strengthen targeted communication, improve the capacity of officials, maintain inspection and supervision, and expand smoke-free environments in agencies, units, schools, hospitals, and public places. When each agency strictly implements regulations, each school proactively protects students, and each family increases vigilance against the risk of nicotine addiction, the prevention and control of tobacco use will become a part of daily life, contributing to protecting public health and building a safe and civilized living environment.

Source: https://baolangson.vn/day-lui-tac-hai-thuoc-la-5093481.html