For a smoke-free environment

Cigarette smoke contains approximately 7,000 chemicals, including 69 carcinogens, and is the cause of 25 different disease groups, including 11 types of cancer, cardiovascular diseases, respiratory diseases, and reproductive health effects for both men and women. It is estimated that 1 in 2 smokers will die prematurely, with half of these deaths occurring in middle age.

Prevention and control of tobacco harms (THTL) and the creation of a smoke-free working environment are given special attention by the Ca Mau health sector. The health sector has developed a THTL prevention and control plan focusing on raising awareness among civil servants, public employees, workers in the entire sector and patients about the harmful effects of smoking and secondhand smoke. This has created a high consensus in banning smoking in affiliated units.

Dr. Ho Thanh Dam, Head of the Department of Health Education and Communication, Ca Mau Province Center for Disease Control, said: "In recent times, the provincial health sector has continuously promoted propaganda activities. In addition, in coordination with grassroots trade unions under the health sector, we have maintained the emulation movement to build green - clean - beautiful medical facilities and smoke-free medical facilities throughout the sector. The main content focuses on posting regulations prohibiting smoking in units and places with many people passing by at all affiliated units. Hanging signs prohibiting smoking in meeting rooms, offices, patient rooms, stairs, and other public areas. There is no phenomenon of buying, selling, or advertising tobacco products on the premises of agencies and units. 100% of medical staff do not smoke at work, at patient reception areas, or at medical examination and treatment facilities...".

No smoking regulations are posted at Hung My Commune Health Station, Cai Nuoc District.

At the same time, grassroots trade unions coordinate with the authorities at the same level to develop plans to prevent and combat tobacco use in their units. Medical staff promote their spirit and sense of responsibility in propagating, mobilizing, and monitoring patients and their families to better understand the harmful effects of tobacco. In addition, the Social Work Team at hospitals promotes counseling and support for smokers so that they understand the harmful effects and gradually quit smoking. In particular, grassroots trade unions of units include the content of implementing non-smoking in the annual emulation assessment of collectives and individuals in the unit...

Along with launching and setting targets for tobacco prevention and control, the Department of Health directs the communication network of medical centers and hospitals to propagate to civil servants, public employees and workers in the unit to strictly implement the regulation prohibiting smoking in medical facilities. Design and provide communication materials on tobacco prevention and control to agencies, units and communities...

"The Trade Union of Cai Nuoc District Medical Center has included the content of tobacco prevention and control in the unit's annual propaganda plan and integrated it into regular activities. The regulation prohibiting smoking in the workplace has been included in the internal rules and regulations of the agency and unit. The staff, union members, workers and employees have signed a commitment not to smoke in the workplace. Through inspection and supervision at the unit, it has been shown that in recent years, the staff, civil servants and employees at the Center have well implemented the regulations on tobacco prevention and control...", Ms. Nguyen Thi Ngan, Vice President of the Trade Union of Cai Nuoc District Medical Center, informed.

In the coming time, to effectively implement the Law on Tobacco Control and build smoke-free medical facilities, the health sector will continue to coordinate with the Provincial Labor Federation to direct grassroots trade unions to promote propaganda and dissemination of the Law on Tobacco Control and Prevention among union officials and members. Link tobacco control and prevention with the movement to build a cultural life, build agencies and units that meet cultural standards... towards building a smoke-free working environment, ensuring the health of union officials, members, patients and people around. With this goal, the provincial health sector will be more determined in activities to repel the harmful effects of tobacco./.

Mai Thanh

Source: https://baocamau.vn/vi-moi-truong-khong-khoi-thuoc-a39640.html