More than 1,000 students "say no to cigarettes"

(Dan Tri) - The 2025 "What I Want to Say" forum in Nghe An attracted more than 1,000 students to participate, spreading the message "Say no to cigarettes, e-cigarettes and new addictive substances" in schools.

On May 14, Ha Huy Tap High School, Nghe An organized the third "What I Want to Say" Forum, an event in the Month of Action for Children 2025. The forum was coordinated by Tien Phong Newspaper, the Departmentof Education and Training, and Nghe An Provincial Youth Union.

The forum attracted more than 1,000 students, along with psychologists, doctors, authorities, teachers and artists.

Mr. Tran Van Lam, Deputy Director of the Department of Students, Ministry of Education and Training, spoke at the forum (Photo: Nguyen Phe).

The program was organized with the theme "Say no to cigarettes, e-cigarettes and new addictive substances", aiming to equip students with knowledge and prevention skills, creating an open forum for students to share their views and propose solutions to protect school health.

Mr. Tran Van Lam, Deputy Director of the Department of Students of the Ministry of Education and Training, said that the rate of students aged 13-15 using e-cigarettes in Vietnam increased to 8% in 2023, double that of the previous year.

The situation is worrying as many cases of hospitalization due to poisoning and psychosis after using e-cigarettes laced with addictive substances.

WHO warns that nearly half of the world's children are exposed to secondhand smoke, leading to 65,000 deaths each year.

Students in Vinh city attended the forum (Photo: Nguyen Phe).

Vietnam witnesses more than 100,000 deaths each year due to tobacco, causing economic losses of about VND108,000 billion, far exceeding tobacco tax revenue.

Although the rate of traditional cigarette use is decreasing, new tobacco products such as e-cigarettes and shisha are increasing rapidly among young people with eye-catching designs and low prices.

About 60% of schools meet the criteria of "Tobacco-free schools", but smoking around schools is still common because some parents and teachers have not seriously implemented the ban.

The Ministry of Education and Training has issued many directives, organized training courses and integrated tobacco harm prevention content into the general education program. However, lack of funding and coordination between schools, parents and the community remain challenges.

Students at the forum shared recommendations such as increasing creative extracurricular activities, controlling cigarette sales around schools, and calling on parents to join in protecting their children from risks.

Journalist Le Minh Toan, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Tien Phong newspaper, spoke at the forum (Photo: Nguyen Phe).

Journalist Le Minh Toan, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Tien Phong newspaper, emphasized that the forum not only provides information but also encourages students to take proactive action based on their own awareness.

Nguyen Minh Anh, an 11th grader, shared: "I used to think e-cigarettes were just a temporary pleasure, but now I realize their dangers. I hope the school, teachers and parents will help us stay away from these temptations."

The program ended with the message that protecting the young generation from the dangers of e-cigarettes requires the participation of the whole society, from family, community to media and students themselves.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/giao-duc/hon-1000-hoc-sinh-noi-khong-voi-thuoc-la-20250514164400429.htm