Building a smoke-free school environment - For the health of future generations

PCTHTL communication for students at Thanh Hoa Ethnic Boarding High School.

Efforts from schools

Implementing the Law on Prevention and Control of Tobacco Harms (PCTHTL) and the instructions of the Ministry of Education and Training , the Department of Education and Training of Thanh Hoa has issued many documents guiding and directing the implementation of PCTHTL, especially electronic cigarettes - a product that is rapidly increasing among young people. Schools are required to include PCTHTL content in the school year plan, internal rules and regulations of the unit; strictly implement the regulation "no smoking on school grounds". Educational institutions simultaneously organized the signing of commitments between schools and teachers and staff; between homeroom teachers and students; between schools and parents on not using, storing, buying and selling cigarettes, electronic cigarettes, heated tobacco products. Propaganda work is widely deployed through flag-salute activities, class activities, extracurricular activities, forums, creative experiences... to help students understand the harmful effects of tobacco, practice refusal skills and protect themselves.

In addition, schools should strengthen coordination with families, local authorities, and police forces in detecting, preventing, and handling violations; focus on internal inspection, promptly correct and strictly handle violations while still ensuring education and supporting students to change their behavior.

At Thanh Hoa Ethnic Boarding High School, propaganda work on the harmful effects of tobacco, especially electronic cigarettes, has been carried out systematically and regularly. Right from the beginning of the school year, 100% of teachers and students signed a commitment to build a healthy, tobacco-free educational environment. The school integrates educational content on the harmful effects of tobacco into subjects such as Civic Education, Biology, and extracurricular activities; organizes video screenings and vivid visual images to warn about dangerous diseases caused by tobacco such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cardiovascular disease, cancer, etc. The school also coordinates with the Provincial Police to conduct surprise inspections and promptly prevent the bringing of tobacco, electronic cigarettes, or addictive substances into the school grounds.

Mr. Ha Duyen Tung, the school's principal, said: We integrate anti-bullying content into flag-raising activities, classes and issue a code of conduct for students. Anti-bullying criteria are included in competitions. Classes and individuals with good practices will be commended, creating motivation for students.

Quach Van Minh, a student of class 11A, shared: Through the propaganda sessions, we understand that cigarettes and electronic cigarettes are not only addictive but also lead to many dangerous diseases. Saying no to cigarettes helps us protect our health and build a healthy school environment.

Not only in high schools, many educational institutions at all levels have flexibly integrated PCTHTL content into Science, Biology, Civic Education lectures... Teachers are guided to create situations and practice skills, helping students proactively identify and avoid cigarettes, especially e-cigarettes - products with eye-catching designs that are easily abused. Many schools organize extracurricular activities such as drawing competitions, video clip design, dramatization, and "Say no to e-cigarettes" forums, contributing to spreading the message in a natural and lively way.

Building a smoke-free school environment - For the health of future generations

Students of Quan Son Secondary School for Ethnic Minorities learn about the harmful effects of tobacco.

Need strong cooperation from the whole society

Although the work of PCTHTL has achieved many positive results, the situation of students using electronic cigarettes is still complicated. New generation products are constantly changing in design and are easily hidden; advertising activities are rampant on social networks, making students curious and easily attracted. Some parents are still subjective, even misunderstanding when thinking that electronic cigarettes are "less toxic than regular cigarettes", reducing the deterrent effect. In addition, resources for psychological counseling and social work in schools are limited; while changing students' behavior requires perseverance, companionship and many "soft" activities. Controlling the sale of electronic cigarettes online and at business locations around schools is still difficult, requiring stronger involvement of functional sectors.

Mr. Trinh Trong Nam, Head of Secondary Education Department, Thanh Hoa Department of Education and Training, emphasized: In order for tobacco control work to be effective and sustainable, the education sector hopes that functional sectors will strengthen inspection and strictly handle the business and advertising of electronic cigarettes, especially in areas near schools and on cyberspace. Local authorities need to include the criteria of 'smoke-free environment' in emulation movements, considering child protection as a key task." The Department of Education and Training requested the Tobacco Control Fund and related programs and projects to continue to support communication, training, and implementation of pilot models; at the same time, it hopes that press agencies will increase propaganda, reflect good models, and fight against violations, especially the act of enticing students to use electronic cigarettes.

When the entire political system, family and school work together, Thanh Hoa will have more solid steps forward in building a smoke-free school environment, contributing to protecting the health and future of the young generation.

To Ha

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/xay-dung-moi-truong-hoc-duong-khong-khoi-thuoc-vi-suc-khoe-cua-the-he-tuong-lai-271211.htm