“Smoke-free Environment for Healthy Families”

Vietnam Women's Union has recently organized the Media Initiative Contest “Smoke-free Environment for Healthier Families” in Nha Trang City, drawing the participation of nearly 100 members from the Central region and the Highlands.

8 teams from Binh Dinh, Dak Nong, Dak Lak, Gia Lai, Lam Dong, Phu Yen, Khanh Hoa and Kon Tum competed in 2 rounds, namely introduction featuring characteristics of localities and acting concerning the Party's guidelines, the State's policies and laws against harmful effects of tobacco; officials and members’ experience and skills in mobilizing relatives and the community to abide by the Tobacco Control Law, etc.

The participants' acting focused on hazardous effects of smoking on the health of smokers, passive smokers, families and the community; teenagers' ignorance of serious harmful effects of e-cigarettes and so on.

"Play-acting by Binh Dinh team.

According to Ton Ngoc Hanh, Alternate Member of the Party Central Committee, Vice-Chairperson of Vietnam Women's Union, in 2014, Vietnam Women's Union signed an agreement with the Ministry of Health to coordinate in promoting public health care propaganda, raising awareness of hazardous effects of smoking on the health of smokers, passive smokers, families and community; focusing on improving adherence to smoke-free regulations.

Vietnam Women's Union's tobacco control activities have focused on promoting the role of women in the family and community as propagandists to create smoke-free homes for healthier and happier families.

"Within the framework of the program in coordination with the Ministry of Health’s Tobacco Control Fund, the "“Smoke-free Environment for Healthier Families” media initiative contest is one of the activities to raise public awareness of hazardous effects of tobacco use to protect the health of individuals, families and communities.”; increase the community’s engagement in response and commitment to taking action to develop a smoke-free environment," said Ton Ngoc Hanh.

Khanh Hoa's team performance.

The Ministry of Health has coordinated with ministries, agencies, socio-political organizations, and People's Committees of provinces and cities to implement various activities to promote anti-smoking propaganda for a smoke-free environment.

Vietnam Women's Union has built a model of "Club of women whose relatives are non-smokers" since 2003. Especially, the union has recently implemented many community activities such as prompting the role of women in persuading relatives to quit smoking; promoting "Smoke-free homes", tobacco control communication skills for officials…

The media initiative contest on Smoke-Free Homes and Healthy Families not only helped members to improve their knowledge about harmful effects of tobacco use but also created a rewarding playground to improve members and women’s cultural and spiritual lives.

The first prize was awarded to the team from Binh Dinh Women’s Union; second prizes to Lam Dong and Dak Lak Women’s Unions; third prizes to the Women’s Unions of Khanh Hoa, Phu Yen and Gia Lai; consolation prizes to the Women’s Unions of Dak Nong and Kon Tum.

C.D

Translated by N.T