VCN – To strengthen the implementation of the Law on Tobacco Harm Prevention and build a smoke-free working, research and study environment at the units, the General Department of Vietnam Customs has issued an action plan for tobacco harm prevention from 2023 to 2024.
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The Action plan aims to disseminate and educate the harmful effects of tobacco and the harmful substances affecting health, the economy and the environment to reduce the demand for tobacco use, the amounts of tobacco smoke released into the environment, and the smoking-related morbidity and mortality.
According the GDVC requests its units to develop and issue an action plan for tobacco harm prevention from 2023 to 2024 to comprehensively. In addition, the country’s top customs regulator asks units to set up the Steering Committee for tobacco harm prevention, strengthen inspection and supervision of the implementation, and report the units’ performance.
The units must comply with the Law on Tobacco Harm Prevention and regulations on the prevention and control of tobacco harms to each unit officer. Publicize regulations on penalties for smoking in public places and workplaces; promote the dissemination of smoking bans and prohibited acts in the Law on Tobacco Harm Prevention.
The units are asked to actively implement practical activities in line with the actual reality and specific working conditions in response to the National No Tobacco Week (from May 25 to 31) and World No Tobacco Day (May 31), closely following the theme of each year under the Ministry of Health and the Fund for Tobacco Harm Prevention.
The GDVC requests heads of units and the Steering Committee for Tobacco Harm Prevention of the units to assign tasks to the Trade Union, Youth Union, and Women’s Union organize seminars and talks on the harmful effects of tobacco, health, economic and environmental losses due to tobacco use; responsibilities of smokers and methods of smoking cessation; passive smoking and the right of non-smokers; the benefits of maintaining a smoke-free environment; establishment of effective smoke-free working, research and study environment.
Units are suggested to reform the information and communication methods on tobacco harm prevention, such as disseminating on electronic bulletin boards and website. Stick the sign “No smoking” at the office; hang up banners, slogans and posters on tobacco prevention; and print and provide leaflets about the health effects of tobacco.
Focus on organizing training and capacity building for members of the Steering Committee and staff in charge of inspecting and supervising tobacco harms prevention of the unit in developing and implementing a smoke-free policy in public places and workplaces and a smoke-free environment.
The units assign the Trade Union, Youth Union, Women’s Union and health department (if any) to supervise the compliance of the provisions of the Law. Make a list of officers and staff of units who still use tobacco; suggest reducing smoking and providing smoking cessation methods; sign a commitment not to smoke in workplaces, public places, and crowded places. Regularly inspect and supervise the implementation of smoking bans at places where smoking is prohibited.
The GDVC directs the heads of units to include the criterion of not smoking at work in the annual evaluation criteria for officers.
Units are requested to strengthen inspection and strictly control the transportation of smuggled cigarettes across border gates and customs control areas.
Effectively use operational measures to prevent, detect, arrest and promptly handle law violations; determine the head’s responsibility if there is serious and prolonged tobacco smuggling.
By Nu Bui/Ngoc Loan