Guidelines for creating a smoke-free environment

In accordance with Decision No. 2461/QD-BTNMT dated August 25, 2023, of the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment on the promulgation of the Plan for Tobacco Harm Prevention and Control for the period 2023-2024, the Plan sets out the general objective of strictly enforcing legal regulations on tobacco harm prevention and control, reducing the demand for and ultimately abandoning tobacco products to reduce the risk of illness and death caused by tobacco use and the risk of passive smoking. It also aims to further improve and expand the "smoke-free workplace" model in units under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Thu Huong, Head of the Professional Department of the Tobacco Harm Prevention and Control Fund - Ministry of Health, presented her paper at the Conference.

At the conference, Ms. Nguyen Thi Thu Huong, Head of the Professional Department of the Tobacco Harm Prevention Fund - Ministry of Health , presented a paper on the harmful effects of smoking, e-cigarettes, and the main contents of the Law on Tobacco Harm Prevention and Control and its implementation guidelines. Notably, new tobacco products pose a high risk of social ills, especially the use of drugs and addictive substances alongside e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products, affecting health and social order. Because e-cigarettes use many flavorings and chemicals, they can be exploited for drug use through mixing. Users can arbitrarily increase the nicotine content excessively or add drugs and other addictive substances without being detected. Recently, a number of cases of poisoning due to e-cigarette use have been recorded in many provinces and cities. Significantly, most cases occurred among school-aged children, including female students.

To reduce the smoking rate among teenagers, the Ministry of Education and Training issued Directive No. 6036/CT-BGDĐT dated December 17, 2014, clearly stipulating the implementation of the Law on Tobacco Harm Prevention and Control. This includes nine criteria for building smoke-free schools, such as: Posting regulations prohibiting smoking in areas with high traffic; Displaying signs prohibiting smoking in classrooms, offices, dining halls, corridors, staircases, and other public areas; Having a plan for tobacco harm prevention and control activities; Implementing tobacco harm prevention and control activities; No buying, selling, or advertising of tobacco products within school grounds; No smoking-related items such as ashtrays or lighters in classrooms or offices; Not accepting support or sponsorship from tobacco companies or organizations related to tobacco companies in any form. "Including a smoke-free policy as a criterion for evaluating the performance of staff, teachers, and students (encouraging) and ensuring there is no smoking or cigarette butts in classrooms, offices, and throughout the entire school grounds," added Ms. Nguyen Thi Thu Huong, M.Sc.

Effectively communicate with the community to raise awareness about the harmful effects of tobacco on human health.

According to Associate Professor Dr. Luong Ngoc Khue, the Tobacco Harm Prevention Fund has supported ministries, sectors, localities, and socio-political organizations in implementing tobacco harm prevention activities to strengthen the enforcement of the Law on Tobacco Harm Prevention. In 2023, the Fund continued to support more than 100 units nationwide in implementing tobacco harm prevention activities. For students at the University of Natural Resources and Environment, it is necessary to develop policies and incentives to motivate, reward, and encourage faculty, staff, and students to participate long-term in tobacco harm prevention work. In particular, a financial mechanism should be established for tobacco cessation counseling and support medication.

The conference was attended by faculty members and over 400 students from the University of Natural Resources and Environment. It was also an opportunity for students to share experiences and enhance their capacity to implement tobacco harm prevention activities at the university, contributing to the effective creation of a smoke-free school environment.

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