For a civilized, smoke-free working environment

In recent years, along with efforts to reform administration and build a professional working style, many agencies and units in Thai Nguyen province have focused on building a smoke-free working environment. This is considered an important criterion to protect the health of cadres, civil servants, public employees and people coming to work, while aiming for the image of a civilized and modern office.

Phan Dinh Phung Ward Public Administration Service Center builds a modern, professional, smoke-free working environment.

In the past, smoking in hallways, office yards or even in offices was not uncommon, affecting the working environment and image of state agencies. However, implementing the Law on Prevention and Control of Tobacco Harms and related regulations, many units have proactively issued internal regulations, assigning responsibility to leaders in implementing the "smoke-free office" model. Thanks to that, the awareness and behavior of officers and employees have changed positively.

At the “one-stop shop” department, which regularly interacts with the people, compliance with regulations is strictly enforced. Ms. Chu Thi Man, Deputy Director of the Tan Cuong Commune Public Administration Service Center, said: People sometimes carry cigarettes, but when reminded, they comply well. Thanks to the smoke-free environment, we work more focused, healthier and create a standard, friendly image.

To maintain a sustainable smoke-free environment, many agencies apply systematic measures such as: Integrating tobacco harm prevention content into meetings; establishing monitoring teams; hanging banners and posters in easily observable areas; organizing internal communications, distributing leaflets; encouraging staff to quit smoking through counseling and psychological support. Some units also include the "smoke-free" criterion in competition evaluation and specifying the responsibilities of leaders.

Not only does it contribute to protecting health, a smoke-free working environment also enhances the professional image of government agencies. People coming to do transactions feel the respect and friendliness when they do not encounter unpleasant smoke odors or smoking scenes in the waiting area.

Mr. Ngo Cong Tan, Thinh hamlet, Tan Cuong commune, shared: When we come to work and don’t see smoking, we feel comfortable and respected. This is a cultural feature that needs to be replicated.

People come to do administrative procedures at the Cho Moi Commune Public Administration Service Center.

Despite the positive signals, in order for a smoke-free working environment to truly become a sustainable culture, agencies and units need to continue to synchronously deploy many synchronous solutions. Specifically: Strengthening creative communication with infographics and videos ; organizing competitions to learn about tobacco laws; maintaining seminars to share smoking cessation experiences; supporting smoking staff to access appropriate quitting methods; linking workplace culture criteria with compliance with no-smoking regulations. Building a team of exemplary, civilized staff in behavior and lifestyle is also an important factor to help the model be effective.

A smoke-free working environment not only brings health benefits but also contributes to the formation of a modern, professional public service culture. When each cadre, civil servant and public employee clearly understands their responsibilities, the working environment will become healthy, creating a foundation for improving productivity, work quality and people's satisfaction.

With the active participation of leaders of agencies and units, the self-awareness of staff and the support of the people, the model of "smoke-free office" in Thai Nguyen is gradually spreading, becoming a beautiful feature in office culture - aiming at the goal of building a modern, civilized administration, better serving the needs of people and businesses.

Source: https://baothainguyen.vn/xa-hoi/202512/vi-moi-truong-lam-viec-van-minh-khong-khoi-thuoc-2a636e8/