Towards building a “smoke-free office”

Mr. Tran Nhat Tan - Secretary of Tran Yen District Party Committee.

Regarding this issue, the reporter of Natural Resources and Environment Newspaper discussed with Mr. Tran Nhat Tan - Secretary of Tran Yen District Party Committee about the activities that have been and are being implemented to prevent and combat the harmful effects of tobacco.

Reporter: Sir, how has the district implemented tobacco harm prevention work in the past?

Mr. Tran Nhat Tan: The tobacco harm prevention program has been implemented by the health sector in particular and society in general for many years. In particular, the Law on Tobacco Harm Prevention has helped tobacco harm prevention work to be implemented more strongly and strengthened. For Tran Yen district, Plan No. 44/KH-UBND dated March 14, 2022 on organizing activities to prevent tobacco harm in 2022; Plan No. 48/KH-UBND dated March 8, 2023 on organizing activities to prevent tobacco harm in the period 2023-2024; documents to strengthen propaganda on the harmful effects of e-cigarettes, heated tobacco, shisha and the work of inspecting and strictly handling cases of trading e-cigarettes and heated tobacco in the area.

The Standing Committee of the District Party Committee has deployed and directly directed departments, units, socio -political organizations, cadres, civil servants, public employees and workers to participate in activities responding to World No Tobacco Day on May 31 and National No Tobacco Week, ensuring practicality and effectiveness in conjunction with strict implementation of the provisions of the Law on Prevention of Tobacco Harms. Currently, there are basically no smokers at conferences, meetings and in offices.

Reporter: Currently, the district's tobacco harm prevention work has achieved many results, but still faces many difficulties? Can you share more about this issue?

Mr. Tran Nhat Tan: Currently, the buying and selling of cigarettes is quite easy and popular. Therefore, it is difficult to encourage people to quit smoking or strictly follow the regulations on smoking. In addition, the price of cigarettes sold on the market is not high, and there is no management of the buying and selling of cigarettes, so many people can easily access them, including minors and students. The regulations of the law on tobacco harm prevention all have specific violations with penalties to deter.

However, the above documents have not been effective. The reason is that the propaganda work for the people is not consistent. The authorities assigned to inspect, monitor and handle violations are lacking in force and initiative to carry out their duties. Smokers lack awareness and self-awareness not only in complying with the provisions of the law but also lack respect for civilized lifestyles and the community; almost no violations related to the prevention and control of the harmful effects of tobacco have been inspected, reminded and punished by the authorities according to regulations.

In Tran Yen district, there are still many officials who have not completely quit smoking. However, in meetings and in the office, there is absolutely no smoking. During breaks, people can go to stone benches or green areas to smoke. Thus, the awareness of the district's officials in the work of preventing the harmful effects of tobacco has gradually been raised.

PV: Given these difficulties, what measures should be taken to improve the effectiveness of tobacco harm prevention and to eliminate smoking? Sir?

Mr. Tran Nhat Tan: The top solution is still to promote tobacco prevention propaganda activities. It is necessary to propagate more widely to all people to know about the Law on Tobacco Harm Prevention. In particular, it is necessary to propagate the Law on Tobacco Harm Prevention in general and each specific content for each group of subjects mentioned in the law. This will help the implementation of the Law on Tobacco Harm Prevention more effectively and the law will be more applicable to life. At the same time, strengthen communication forms to create a widespread effect among the people, organize the signing of commitments in the unit and strictly handle violations.

In addition, units need to be determined to direct the construction of a smoke-free environment to promote specific implementation in each agency and unit. Heads of agencies and units must be resolute and exemplary in implementation. Competent state agencies must promptly issue documents amending and supplementing regulations on the management of production, trade, transportation and use of electronic cigarettes and heated tobacco products.

Reporter: To continue moving towards building a clean, green office - free of cigarette smoke, in the coming time, what key solutions will the district continue to implement to improve the effectiveness of preventing the harmful effects of tobacco, sir?

Mr. Tran Nhat Tan: The district will continue to strengthen propaganda, dissemination, and implementation of the provisions of the Law on Prevention of Tobacco Harms to all cadres, civil servants, public employees, and workers. Continue to select appropriate content and forms to organize effective propaganda, raise awareness of each individual to prevent the harmful effects of tobacco, and not to smoke in offices and prohibited places according to regulations.

Regularly monitor and urge departments and units to implement activities to prevent and combat the harmful effects of tobacco. Actively participate in activities responding to World No Tobacco Day on May 31 and National No Tobacco Week from May 25 to 31 every year, ensuring practicality and effectiveness.

Along with that, coordinate the deployment of information and propaganda to units and individuals about the harmful effects of tobacco on health and economy, the significance of implementing a smoke-free environment, models and examples of agencies and units that well implement regulations on smoke-free environments, and examples of individuals who quit smoking.

Strictly implement regulations prohibiting smoking in workplaces and locations where smoking is prohibited. Continue to implement activities to build clean, green offices and smoke-free agencies.

PV: Thank you very much!

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