Preventing the harmful effects of tobacco in schools: Needs coordinated participation from many sides

In the context of tobacco harm prevention and control (PCTHTL) becoming an urgent task nationwide, the Education and Training sector of Nghe An province has had drastic directions and specific actions. The efforts of the entire Education and Training sector of Nghe An have brought about very positive results.

Vietnam Women's Newspaper had an interview with Ms. Ho Thi Chau Loan, Deputy Director of Nghe An Department of Education and Training , about the results achieved through the efforts of the whole industry to contribute to raising awareness and building a healthy school environment, protecting the health of staff, teachers and students.

+ Could you tell us about the work of preventing and combating the harmful effects of tobacco in schools of Nghe An Department of Education and Training that has been implemented in recent times?

- Since the Law on Prevention and Control of Child Abuse took effect on May 1, 2013, the direction has been implemented systematically and resolutely to ensure the most effective implementation of the Law on Prevention and Control of Child Abuse. Every year, right from the beginning of the school year, the Department has promptly issued documents directing and guiding the integration of Child Abuse prevention and control content into school health work.

The Department also issued separate plans on PCTHTL of the industry, and decided to establish (or consolidate) the Steering Committee for school health work to carry out this task. Documents urging and disseminating the implementation are also issued regularly.

Nghe An Department of Education and Training has recently had drastic directions to prevent and combat drug abuse in the educational environment. Illustrative photo

In particular, the industry has focused on educating all officials, civil servants, teachers and students about not smoking at work and school. Activities to prevent and combat the harmful effects of tobacco are integrated into meetings and activities of agencies and units.

To create a clear smoke-free environment, "No Smoking" signs are posted in easily visible locations such as corridors, offices, meeting rooms, auditoriums and other prohibited areas. Units must also self-check the implementation of the complete smoking ban on school premises, and the ban on the sale of cigarettes in canteens, cafeterias and dormitories.

+ With the synchronous implementation of PCTHTL measures in the educational environment, what results have been achieved ?

- Along with the direction, the propaganda and dissemination of knowledge on the harmful effects of tobacco have also been promoted and diversified. Units in the industry have organized propaganda and dissemination of the provisions of the Law on Tobacco Control.

The propaganda content focuses on building a smoke-free environment in educational institutions and workplaces, the rights of non-smokers and the responsibilities of smokers.

Every year, units hang banners with messages in response to World No Tobacco Day (May 31) and National No Tobacco Week (May 25-31) according to the instructions of the health sector.

Tobacco control law work is integrated into extracurricular activities, morning meetings, flag salutes and other educational activities. Intensive training sessions on tobacco control are also organized for school health workers and Youth Union Secretaries.

Students in Nghe An compete to learn about the Law on Drug Abuse Prevention and Control.

Legal documents and propaganda content on the harmful effects of traditional cigarettes, electronic cigarettes, heated tobacco, shisha... are posted on the website and document management software system of the unit.

After more than 10 years of implementing the Law, the awareness and actions of cadres, teachers and students in the entire Education and Training sector of Nghe An have changed positively. 100% of cadres and teachers are fully aware of the harmful effects of tobacco. Most cadres, civil servants and employees at the Department and its affiliated units do not smoke.

Many officials, teachers and students have been encouraged to quit smoking completely. 100% of schools have established a Tobacco Control Steering Committee (or integrated it into the School Health Steering Committee). Similarly, 100% of schools are committed to building a smoke-free environment.

+ What difficulties did the Nghe An Education and Training sector face in implementing the propaganda work on PCTHTL?

- Despite many successes, the work of preventing and combating tobacco harms in the education and training sector still faces many difficulties and challenges. Specifically, funding for tobacco harm prevention activities is not yet available, mainly integrated into the career budget, leading to the propaganda not being as in-depth and diverse as organizing competitions or producing specialized documents.

The widespread availability and cheapness of cigarettes in cafes, restaurants and other public places makes them easily accessible, making it difficult to quit smoking and reduce smoking rates.

In addition, compliance with the Law in some units is still low. A number of cadres, civil servants and public employees still smoke in public places. Meanwhile, all cadres working on PCTHTL are part-time, so the time available for activities is limited.

Nghe An students in the communication program: "Say no to cigarettes, e-cigarettes and new addictive substances"

For students, the reality is that when they are at school, the school monitors and supervises them, and when they are at home, their parents monitor and supervise them. However, the time they spend out in society is beyond the control of the school and family.

Therefore, implementing PCTHTL activities in schools is one of the tasks that need to be carried out regularly; there needs to be a combination of education and propaganda, the use of sanctions according to regulations and the close coordination of departments, branches and mass organizations.

+ What suggestions do you have to make PCTHTL work in the education sector more effective in the coming time?

- To implement PCTHTL work in schools more effectively, in the coming time, the Department of Education and Training will continue to focus on directing and requesting educational institutions to implement a number of key tasks such as:

Continue to strengthen close coordination with families and local organizations and unions to propagate and mobilize parents and relatives of students to be exemplary in not smoking.

Strengthen the implementation of regulations prohibiting smoking in schools by including tobacco harm prevention content in the implementation plan of general education tasks of each school year; include regulations prohibiting smoking in the workplace in school regulations;

Organize the construction of smoke-free schools; strictly prohibit staff, teachers and students from smoking on school grounds. At the same time, make the implementation of the no-smoking policy in schools one of the criteria for evaluating annual emulation and reward titles.

Communication sessions about the harmful effects of tobacco in schools are extremely useful.

For students, through integrated lessons and direct communication sessions, the Department of Education and Training requires that after accessing useful information and knowledge about the harmful effects of smoking, they adjust their own habits and behaviors to stay away from cigarette smoke.

At the same time, I hope that you will actively participate in propagating to your relatives and friends about the harmful effects of smoking with the ultimate goal of us joining hands to build a clean, smoke-free environment.

We also propose that there should be more resolute participation of authorities at all levels, police agencies and market management teams to create a combined strength and improve work efficiency. We propose to supplement the operating budget norms according to the functions and tasks of the industry.

It is recommended that the Ministry of Education and Training regularly organize training courses on tobacco harm prevention for those working in tobacco harm prevention in schools.

+ Thank you very much!

Source: https://phunuvietnam.vn/phong-chong-tac-hai-cua-thuoc-la-trong-nha-truong-can-su-vao-cuoc-dong-bo-tu-nhieu-phia-20250823072833829.htm