The "Women Say No to Tobacco" model is a shining example.

(GLO) - In recent times, the Women's Union of Van Canh commune has implemented many practical models and methods in the work of preventing and combating the harmful effects of tobacco in ethnic minority areas. As a result, people's awareness has gradually improved, contributing to building a civilized and healthy living environment.

Many positive developments

The story about the harmful effects of tobacco has now become a familiar topic in the meetings of the women in Canh Lanh village. In the third week of each month, members of the "Women Say No to Tobacco" club meet to share ways to maintain health and build smoke-free families.

The community communication team of Ha Luy village, in coordination with staff from the Van Canh commune health station, is raising awareness among women about the harmful effects of smoking. Photo: CH

During the meeting, members were given leaflets promoting awareness of the harmful effects of tobacco on health, such as the risk of cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, and cancer. Through relatable stories from daily life, many women gradually changed their perceptions, not only giving up smoking but also proactively encouraging their husbands and relatives to gradually reduce and eventually quit smoking.

Ms. Doan Thi Bieu (43 years old, from Canh Lanh village) said: “Before, I smoked every day, so I was often tired, coughed a lot, and the house always smelled of cigarette smoke. Since quitting smoking, my health has improved significantly, and I save money. More importantly, seeing me quit smoking, my husband gradually quit as well. Now there is no more cigarette smoke in the house, and my children and grandchildren are happier.”

According to Ms. So Y Thi Khue, Head of the Women's Association and Chairperson of the "Women Say No to Tobacco" Club in Canh Lanh village, smoking among women in the village was quite common in the past. Therefore, in 2015, the Association established the club to persistently promote and encourage women to change their perceptions of the harmful effects of tobacco.

“Initially, many women were reluctant to quit smoking, so we had to gradually educate them, at home, in the fields, and during community activities. Now, most members have quit smoking, with only a few still in the process. In the future, the club will continue to support and encourage them to gradually give up smoking completely,” said Ms. Khue.

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In Ha Luy village, the village's community communication team, in coordination with the Van Canh commune health station, regularly integrates awareness campaigns to promote health and reduce smoking in homes and public places. As a result, many women's association members have proactively reminded their husbands and relatives to reduce smoking, contributing to positive changes in the community.

According to Doctor Dinh Thi Xuan Binh, Deputy Head of Van Canh Commune Health Station: "In recent times, the commune health station has strengthened coordination with the Women's Union and community communication groups in villages to promote awareness about the harmful effects of tobacco through various methods suitable for ethnic minority communities. The content of the awareness campaigns focuses on the impacts of tobacco on health, family finances , and the living environment. As a result, many people have raised their awareness and are gradually quitting smoking."

Continue to strengthen propaganda and mobilization efforts.

According to the Women's Union of Van Canh commune, in recent times, the Union at all levels has intensified propaganda and mobilization efforts to encourage female members and residents to say no to tobacco. In addition to establishing two "Women Say No to Tobacco" clubs in Canh Lanh and Ha Van Tren villages with over 100 members, the Union has also assigned staff to directly visit each household to disseminate information and encourage habit change, ultimately leading to quitting smoking. To date, the percentage of female members still using tobacco is only about 2-3%, mainly older people.

Officials from the Women's Union of Van Canh commune went directly to each household to raise awareness and encourage women not to smoke. Photo: CH

According to Ms. Tran Thi Huong, Vice Chairwoman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee and Chairwoman of the Women's Union of Van Canh commune, the biggest difficulty in the work of preventing and combating the harmful effects of tobacco is that a segment of the population, especially the elderly in ethnic minority areas, still consider smoking a long-standing habit, making it difficult to change in a short period of time.

Therefore, propaganda and mobilization efforts must be carried out persistently, in a way that is close to and in accordance with the customs and traditions of the people.

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“In the coming time, the Women's Union of the commune will coordinate with villages to incorporate the content of tobacco harm prevention and control into the community's regulations and conventions; strengthen the dissemination of the Law on Tobacco Harm Prevention and Control and Decree No. 117/2020/ND-CP so that people understand the violations and related penalties.”

On the other hand, the Association continues to expand the model of the "Women Say No to Tobacco" club, promoting visual communication, dramatization, short plays, etc., to help people easily remember, understand, and gradually change their perceptions," Ms. Huong said.

Source: https://baogialai.com.vn/diem-sang-mo-hinh-phu-nu-noi-khong-voi-thuoc-la-post588540.html