Smoke-free environment an important part of sustainable tourism development

Delegates attending the 9th ASEAN Regional Conference on Building a Smoke-Free Environment.

According to the Organizing Committee, this year's conference is of great significance in strengthening the commitment and capacity of local authorities to implement and enforce smoke-free policies in tourist areas. This is also an opportunity to raise awareness, mobilize consensus and support from stakeholders in the tourism industry, considering a smoke-free environment as an essential part of sustainable tourism development.

Through the conference, ASEAN countries will promote regional connectivity, support the implementation of the ASEAN Smoke-Free Rating System, and form new partnerships and promote cooperative actions among countries and cities to promote and develop smoke-free tourism.

The success of the conference not only contributes to strengthening regional and global cooperation, but also opens up prospects for a green, clean, safe ASEAN future for public health, associated with the image of smoke-free destinations.

Vice Chairman of Hue City People's Committee Nguyen Chi Tai spoke at the conference.

Speaking at the conference, Vice Chairman of the Hue City People's Committee Nguyen Chi Tai said that Hue is a special heritage city of Vietnam, currently owning 8 heritages recognized by UNESCO, including 6 heritages of Hue alone and 2 heritages shared with other localities. The city is making efforts and determination to build Hue worthy of its new role and position, not only as a unique cultural and tourism center, but also as a center of science-technology, healthcare, education -training, etc.

Despite the achievements in preventing and combating the harmful effects of tobacco, tobacco remains the leading cause of harm to health and a huge burden on the health system. Therefore, building a smoke-free environment is not only a public health goal, but also an urgent task.

Hue City has identified tobacco harm prevention as an important part of its sustainable development strategy by promoting the implementation of smoking bans in public areas such as monuments, schools, hospitals and government offices. On the other hand, it has stepped up propaganda and education in the community, especially in schools and the tourism industry; mobilizing the participation of the community, youth unions, and media to change social awareness and behavior.

Vice Chairman Nguyen Chi Tai affirmed that Hue is one of the leading localities in building the "Smoke-free City" model in Vietnam and pledged to continue efforts to maintain and expand the achieved results. However, no city or country can solve this problem alone, only with close cooperation between countries, organizations and communities in the region can we create real and sustainable change.

Therefore, this conference aims to improve knowledge and capacity to implement smoke-free environments, exchange experiences and best practices in integrating smoke-free environmental regulations into tourism development strategies.

In addition, addressing new challenges in implementing smoke-free environments, and introducing the ASEAN Smoke-Free Ranking System as a tool to evaluate and enhance smoke-free campaigns in cities and tourist destinations...

Master, Doctor Phan Thi Hai, Deputy Director of the Tobacco Harm Prevention Fund (Ministry of Health) said that in Vietnam in recent years, with the support of international organizations, close coordination of countries in the ASEAN region, especially the Southeast Asian Tobacco Harm Prevention Alliance, the Tobacco Harm Prevention Fund has coordinated with ministries, branches, provinces and cities to build a smoke-free environment.

Vietnam has achieved many important results in the work of preventing and combating the harmful effects of tobacco in general as well as in building a smoke-free environment, contributing to protecting public health and implementing international commitments under the World Health Organization's Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.

In the tourism sector, many provinces and cities in Vietnam are pioneering the "Smoke-free tourism" initiative, contributing to both preserving the environment and enhancing the image of civilized and friendly destinations in the eyes of tourists. For example, Hue city has a harmonious approach, both preserving cultural values and protecting public health. This is also a testament to the connection between protecting people's health and sustainable economic and social development.

Minh Hoang

Source: https://nhandan.vn/moi-truong-khong-khoi-thuoc-mot-phan-quan-trong-cua-phat-trien-du-lich-ben-vung-post904685.html