"Greening" tourist destinations to make them smoke-free.

Amidst the increasingly vibrant life of Dong Hoi (Quang Tri province), more and more homes, restaurants, and hotels are saying no to cigarette smoke. The women here are quietly changing the community through small actions such as reminding relatives to quit smoking, putting up "No Smoking" signs, and encouraging people to change their habits. From there, the "Smoke-Free Tourist Destination" model is gradually creating a greener and cleaner Dong Hoi in the eyes of tourists.

"Clean up" cigarette smoke from every rooftop.

In recent years, along with the strong development of tourism , Dong Hoi ward has become a hub for restaurants, hotels, accommodations, and attractions that draw large numbers of domestic and international tourists. The streets are becoming increasingly bustling, roadside shops stay open later, and the number of visitors is growing. However, along with this vibrancy, the issue of smoking in public places has become a concern for many local residents.

Women members in Dong Hoi ward have become a core force in disseminating information on preventing the harmful effects of tobacco.

In many restaurants, accommodations, and public places in the past, the smell of cigarette smoke permeated even meals, common areas, and tourist spaces that should be pleasant and airy. For women and children, this became a constant worry.

Based on this reality, the Women's Union of Dong Hoi Ward has intensified its activities to prevent and combat the harmful effects of tobacco through various methods closely related to daily life. The content of tobacco harm prevention and control is included in the Union's annual action plan; regulations prohibiting smoking in the workplace are also integrated into the regulations of agencies and units.

Many restaurants, hotels, and accommodation establishments in the area have started displaying "no smoking" signs and designating designated smoking areas to maintain a cleaner and more civilized common space. These small signs placed in lobbies, hallways, or communal areas are gradually becoming familiar to locals and tourists.

Along with banners and slogans, the women also brought the "smoke-free" message into every branch meeting and every conversation in the residential area. The content on preventing the harmful effects of tobacco was integrated into community communication sessions, women's club activities, and movements to build cultured families and civilized cities.

Many residential areas have included the criterion of "no smoking in public places" in the evaluation of culturally exemplary families. Some women's association members voluntarily participate in cleaning up the environment at tourist spots and erecting "No Smoking" signs as a gentle but persistent reminder of civilized living.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Mai, a women's association member in Dong Hai residential area, still remembers the time when her husband smoked quite a lot. In their small house, the smell of cigarette smoke often lingered from morning till night. After many times being informed by association officials about the harmful effects of cigarettes on women and children, she persistently encouraged her husband to gradually reduce and then quit. "Now the air in the house is fresher, and the children are happier," Ms. Mai shared.

That's probably also the change many women in Dong Hoi ward are feeling every day: family meals are more pleasant, and children no longer have to sit amidst the smell of cigarette smoke.

Expanding the number of "green destinations"

In December 2023, the Provincial Center for Disease Control, in coordination with the People's Committee of Dong Hoi Ward, implemented a pilot model in the Dong Hai residential area. By the end of 2025, the model will be further expanded throughout the entire ward.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Loi's accommodation facility displays "No Smoking" signs in the rooms, contributing to the development of a green tourism model in Dong Hoi - Photo: Phuong Thien

It is noteworthy that the "Smoke-Free Tourist Destination" model is not limited to simply posting "no smoking" signs or launching a purely symbolic campaign, but is gradually becoming a part of daily life through many specific and practical activities.

Immediately after the launching ceremony, the Women's Union of Dong Hoi Ward coordinated with the health sector, residential groups, and tourism businesses to implement many extensive communication activities. Women's union members became the core force in directly disseminating information to each household, reminding relatives not to smoke at home, in public places, and at tourist spots.

At many restaurants, eateries, and accommodation establishments, women also proactively encourage owners to arrange separate smoking areas and display signs warning about the harmful effects of tobacco, in order to create a more civilized and courteous service environment.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Loi, owner of a tourism service business in Dong Phu residential area, said that her establishment always provides a separate area for smokers and reminds tourists not to smoke in their rooms and common areas. According to her, many tourists agree because the environment is cleaner and more pleasant.

Not only women's association members, but also local residents are increasingly raising their awareness of creating a smoke-free environment. Mr. Tran Van Minh, a resident of Dong Hoi ward, shared that now, when going to many public places, you see "no smoking" signs, and people are more conscious than before. According to him, building a smoke-free tourism environment is very necessary, both to protect health and to create a beautiful image for the locality.

According to Ms. Nguyen Thi Hong Sam, President of the Women's Union of Dong Hoi Ward, Quang Tri Province, the greatest benefit of the model is creating consensus within the community. When people understand that a smoke-free tourism environment is both good for their health and contributes to sustainable tourism development, everyone actively responds. Women, in particular, are the most influential in spreading this message from their families to the wider community.

Green, smoke-free tourist spaces have become a plus point in the experience of many tourists when visiting Dong Hoi. Photo: Phuong Thien

Through concrete actions, the "Smoke-Free Tourist Destination" model is gradually creating positive changes in the awareness and actions of local people, service businesses, and tourists. Besides contributing to minimizing the harmful effects of tobacco on public health, the model also aims to build an image of Dong Hoi as a green, clean, civilized, and sustainably developed destination.

In the coming period, the Women's Union of Dong Hoi Ward will continue to coordinate with the health sector and local authorities to promote communication about the Law on Prevention and Control of Tobacco Harm; expand the models of "Smoke-Free Families" and "Smoke-Free Tourist Destinations"; and mobilize members, residents, and tourism service businesses to work together to build a healthy living environment.

Amidst the transformation of today's tourist city, women in Dong Hoi ward are persistently contributing through practical actions. From smoke-free homes to civilized restaurants and hotels, a greener, cleaner, and friendlier image of Dong Hoi is gradually being built, so that every visitor to this land can experience a safe, clean, and memorable tourist environment.

Source: https://phunuvietnam.vn/xanh-hoa-diem-du-lich-khong-khoi-thuoc-238260519104810286.htm