Enhancing community efforts in tobacco control

Under the National Tobacco Control Strategy till 2030, Khanh Hoa Department of Health has promulgated a plan for tobacco control prevention and control in the province towards 2030. The plan proposes several comprehensive solutions, focusing on mobilizing public participation in the fight against tobacco.

According to Dr. Ton That Toan, Deputy Director of Khanh Hoa Provincial Center for Disease Control, the goals include till 2030, smoking is banned completely at 95% of schools, 6 colleges and universities in the province. At least 60 restaurants and hotels from 3 star-standards and over ensure compliance to smoke-free regulations together with a smoke-free propaganda boost.

Leaders of the Provincial Center for Disease Control communicate about tobacco harm prevention to Cam Ranh City residents.

To achieve the above goals, the plan proposes many comprehensive solutions and activities; including continuing to strengthen the Steering Committee for Tobacco Control at all levels; post anti-smoking regulations in public places, and office buildings; provide training to improve the capacity of relevant agencies in ensuring enforcement of the Law on Tobacco Control and sanctions; train direct communication skills for medical staff at provincial, district, commune and village levels, and collaborators in the community; mobilize support and participation of the community with the Youth Union, Trade Union and Women's Union as the core in propagating, mobilizing and supporting the implementation of tobacco control regulations; conduct inspections over implementation of the tobacco control regulations in public places and workplaces.

The health sector will coordinate with relevant units to increase support for building models of smoke-free workplaces; deploy smoking cessation models in hospitals; organize scientific research to evaluate tobacco control interventions at each stage to develop appropriate plans; mobilize contributions from domestic and international organizations, businesses and individuals in addition to the State funding; promote propaganda to raise public awareness and change the community's attitude towards smoking.

Since 2022, with the support of the Tobacco Control Fund, and Ministry of Health, the province has distributed nearly 100 billboards and signs saying "Smoke-free hospital", "Smoke-free medical center", "Smoke-free medical facility", "Smoke-free school", "Smoke-free agency"; 2,500 "No-smoking” boards; 150 anti-smoking radio and 150 television broadcast discs to agencies, schools, hospitals, medical facilities, factories, enterprises, restaurants, hotels; produced 42,000 leaflets on tobacco cessation counseling and nearly 50,000 leaflets and 6,000 posters in the community; organized nearly 100 training courses to improve the tobacco control capacity of officials and the community; cooperated with the Department of Education and Training, 4 districts, towns and cities, launched the "Smoke-free School" communication initiative contest with the participation of nearly 1,200 people, etc.

With specific solutions, the tobacco control plan in the province towards 2030 promises to contribute to reducing the incidence and mortality rates of tobacco-related diseases; thereby improving health, longevity, and quality of life in the province."

C.D

Translated by N.T