Resolutely prevent cigarettes from entering schools

In a context where social media and new consumer trends promote e-cigarettes as a “stylish choice”, the role of education and communication becomes especially important.

Today - November 5, in Hanoi, the award ceremony of the "Prevention and control of harmful effects of tobacco, electronic cigarettes, and heated tobacco" lesson design contest for general education teachers nationwide in 2025 took place. Education and Times Newspaper is the organizer of the event.

This is an activity to implement the Law on Prevention and Control of Tobacco Harms and a coordination program between the Ministry of Education and Training and the Fund for Prevention and Control of Tobacco Harms ( Ministry of Health ). At the same time, it is also a key activity in the national communication campaign on prevention and control of tobacco harms in the education sector, aiming at the goal of "Smoke-free schools - Healthy students - Sustainable future".

The event was attended by leaders of the Ministry of Education and Training , the Ministry of Health, the Vietnam Education Trade Union, representatives of the Departments of Education and Training, schools, outstanding teachers, and central and local press agencies.

Delegates attending the award ceremony.

Rapid increase in student use of new tobacco products

In recent years, cigarettes and new generation tobacco products such as e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products, and shisha are increasingly infiltrating schools.

In fact, the rate of students who have tried or are using e-cigarettes has increased significantly over the past three years, creating serious challenges for education, school health and student culture.

Speaking at the event, MSc. Dr. Pham Thi Hai - Deputy Director of the Tobacco Harm Prevention Fund said that the report summarizing 10 years of implementing the Law on Tobacco Harm Prevention showed that the smoking rate among adolescents decreased significantly: in the 13-17 age group, it decreased from 5.36% in 2013 to 2.78% in 2019; in the 13-15 age group, it decreased from 2.5% in 2014 to 1.9% in 2022.

According to Ms. Hai, these are very encouraging results in the work of preventing and combating the harmful effects of tobacco. However, these achievements are at risk of being destroyed by the rapid increase in the use of new tobacco products, mainly e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products, especially among young people.

"Among adolescents aged 13–17, the rate of e-cigarette use increased from 2.6% in 2019 to 8.1% in 2023; among those aged 13–15, this rate has more than doubled, from 3.5% in 2022 to 8% in 2023. Notably, among females aged 11–18, according to preliminary survey results in 11 provinces, the rate of e-cigarette use reached 4.3% in 2023" - Ms. Hai cited and added: The above figures show that if we do not have strong and drastic measures to prevent e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products, the results achieved over the past decade may be erased.

Awarding prizes to winning teachers.

Closely linking pedagogy, technology and educational communication to prevent and combat the harmful effects of tobacco in schools

According to the organizers, the series of specialized communication programs "Education and prevention of tobacco harm in schools" - aims to change awareness through knowledge, change behavior through the spreading power of teachers and students.

If education is the root of forming awareness, then the media is the wings that help that awareness spread. Through print, electronic and social media platforms, Education and Times Newspaper has deployed a series of communication campaigns. Reports, articles, video clips, and online exchanges have contributed to promoting public awareness, bringing the message "For a smoke-free future" to millions of teachers, students and parents.

Competition to design lectures on preventing the harmful effects of tobacco, e-cigarettes, and heated tobacco products in 2025 – a creative activity closely connecting pedagogy, technology, and educational communication.

After more than three months of launching, the contest attracted more than 6,800 entries from high school teachers across the country. Each lecture is a humane message, demonstrating the dedication and responsibility of teachers in the face of the challenges of the times.

Many outstanding works not only analyze the harmful effects of tobacco, but also arouse students' critical thinking ability, life skills and self-protection ability. The lectures use visual images, real-life situations, illustrative videos and multi-dimensional interactive methods, helping learners to easily absorb, remember and act.

Representatives of the Ministry of Education and Training and MSc. Dr. Pham Thi Hai - Deputy Director of the Fund for Prevention of Tobacco Harms presented the awards.

As a result, the Organizing Committee honored 38 individuals and 10 outstanding groups with the highest awards, and announced the conversion of excellent lectures into electronic documents for teaching and propaganda nationwide.

More than a conference or a competition, the 2025 program is a message of compassion and responsibility. It is an affirmation that education is the most effective "vaccine", helping the young generation of Vietnam to be immune to harmful habits and temptations. Today's lectures will continue to be spread, today's teachers will continue to light up the faith, so that each school becomes a green - clean - healthy - smoke-free space.

Source: https://suckhoedoisong.vn/quyet-liet-ngan-chan-thuoc-la-len-loi-vao-nha-truong-169251105205139658.htm