For a smoke-free environment

Cigarette smoke contains about 7,000 chemicals, including 69 carcinogens and is the cause of 25 different groups of diseases, including 11 types of cancer, cardiovascular diseases, respiratory diseases and reproductive health effects for both men and women. It is estimated that 1 in 2 smokers will die prematurely, of which 1/2 of the deaths occur in middle age.

Prevention and control of tobacco harms (THTL) and the creation of a smoke-free working environment are of particular concern to the Ca Mau health sector. The health sector has developed a plan for prevention and control of THTL focusing on raising awareness among civil servants, public employees, workers in the entire sector and patients about the harmful effects of smoking and passive smoking. This has created a high consensus in banning smoking in affiliated units.

Dr. Ho Thanh Dam, Head of the Department of Health Education and Communication, Ca Mau Province Center for Disease Control, said: "In recent times, the provincial health sector has continuously promoted propaganda activities. In addition, in coordination with grassroots trade unions under the health sector, we have maintained the emulation movement to build green - clean - beautiful medical facilities and smoke-free medical facilities throughout the sector. The main content focuses on posting regulations prohibiting smoking at units and places with many people passing by at all affiliated units. Hanging signs prohibiting smoking in meeting rooms, offices, patient rooms, stairs, and other public areas. There is no phenomenon of buying, selling, or advertising tobacco products on the premises of agencies and units. 100% of medical staff do not smoke at work, at patient reception areas, or at medical examination and treatment facilities...".

The no smoking policy is posted at the Hung My Commune Health Station, Cai Nuoc District.

At the same time, grassroots trade unions coordinate with the authorities at the same level to develop plans to prevent and combat tobacco use in their units. Medical staff promote their spirit and sense of responsibility in propagating, mobilizing, and monitoring patients and their families to better understand the harmful effects of tobacco. In addition, the Social Work Team at hospitals promotes counseling and support for smokers so that they understand the harmful effects and gradually quit smoking. In particular, grassroots trade unions of units include the implementation of non-smoking in the annual emulation assessment of collectives and individuals in the unit...

Along with launching and setting targets for tobacco control and prevention, the Department of Health directs the communication network of medical centers and hospitals to propagate to civil servants, public employees and workers in the unit to strictly implement the regulation prohibiting smoking in medical facilities. Design and provide communication materials on tobacco control and prevention to agencies, units and communities...

"The Trade Union of Cai Nuoc District Medical Center has included the content of tobacco prevention and control in the unit's annual propaganda plan and integrated it into regular activities. The regulation prohibiting smoking in the workplace has been included in the internal rules and regulations of the agency and unit. The organization has organized cadres, union members, civil servants and employees to sign a commitment not to smoke in the workplace. Through inspection and supervision at the unit, it shows that in recent years, cadres, civil servants and employees at the Center have well implemented the regulations on tobacco prevention and control...", Ms. Nguyen Thi Ngan, Vice President of the Trade Union of Cai Nuoc District Medical Center, informed.

In the coming time, to effectively implement the Law on Tobacco Control and build smoke-free medical facilities, the health sector will continue to coordinate with the Provincial Labor Federation to direct grassroots trade unions to promote propaganda and dissemination of the Law on Tobacco Control and Prevention among union officials and members. Link tobacco control and prevention with the movement to build a cultural life, build agencies and units that meet cultural standards... towards building a smoke-free working environment, ensuring the health of union officials, members, patients and those around them. With this goal, the provincial health sector will be more determined in activities to combat the harmful effects of tobacco./.

Mai Thanh

Source: https://baocamau.vn/vi-moi-truong-khong-khoi-thuoc-a39640.html