• The harmful effects of electronic cigarettes on health
  • Smoking reduces fertility
  • Building a smoke-free medical environment
  • Schools say no to cigarettes

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), tobacco is the leading cause of lung diseases, typically lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Tobacco not only directly affects the smoker but also affects those around them. With the harmful effects of tobacco on health, to effectively prevent and control tobacco use, communication is one of the effective measures, contributing to raising awareness and changing people's behavior.

Dr. Ho Thanh Dam, Head of the Department of Communication - Health Education , Center for Disease Control of Ca Mau province, said that through annual inspection and supervision of PCTHCTL at agencies, units, schools, hospitals, People's Committees at commune level... it shows that localities and units have issued plans, documents and implemented PCTHCTL according to the direction of the province; put PCTHCTL content into internal rules and regulations. Some units and agencies include the content of no smoking in the emulation assessment of cadres, civil servants and public employees. Grassroots trade unions deploy signing commitments to not smoking at the workplace. Regularly propagate and raise awareness of building a smoke-free environment at agencies, units and schools in the area. Efforts in propaganda work have contributed to gradually changing attitudes and behaviors, raising people's awareness of the harmful effects of tobacco, thereby joining hands to propagate and mobilize friends and relatives to say no to tobacco, protecting their own health and that of those around them.

In addition to integrating direct propaganda on PCTHCTL, no smoking signs are posted at all medical facilities.

Most of the monitored units have posted internal regulations and regulations on no smoking in the workplace. Most departments, branches, sectors, and medical units have posted signs saying "Smoke-free office", "Smoke-free hospital", and posted no-smoking signs in designated areas such as: offices, meeting rooms, parking lots, canteens, entrance gates, restrooms, etc.

In the health sector, 100% of agencies and units have posted no-smoking signs. Cases of patients and their relatives smoking in medical facilities, especially in the examination, resuscitation and emergency departments of medical facilities, are almost non-existent. Health education communication corners have posters and leaflets about PCTHCTL. At the same time, security guards are assigned to remind visitors, caregivers and patients not to smoke in the hospital.

The Department of Education and Training is interested in directing and guiding the construction of smoke-free schools and smoke-free working environments. Teachers, officers and employees should set an example by not smoking in public places; include the content of no smoking in schools in internal regulations; hang and post no-smoking signs and communication materials on campus.

At the same time, the Center for Disease Control of Ca Mau province has increased propaganda in many forms such as: mobile communication, hanging banners, slogans, mounting signs, installing panels at agencies and units in the province; coordinating with media agencies to propagate the harmful effects of tobacco, the benefits of quitting smoking, building a smoke-free environment, policies and laws on tobacco control, as well as calling on and mobilizing people not to use tobacco in public places...

With the efforts to synchronously deploy many solutions, the work of tobacco control in the province has had remarkable changes, contributing to reducing the rate of smokers. To reduce the harmful effects of tobacco on health, each individual needs to be fully equipped with knowledge, raise awareness, and voluntarily comply with the Law on Tobacco Control. From there, gradually build a smoke-free working environment, contributing to protecting the living environment and people's health.

Huyền Trân

Source: https://baocamau.vn/truyen-thong-phong-chong-tac-hai-cua-thuoc-la-a123406.html