Bringing tobacco prevention into lectures, a new approach in schools

On the morning of April 15, Education and Times Newspaper in coordination with the Tobacco Harm Prevention and Control Fund (Ministry of Health) organized the Launching Ceremony of the 2026 lecture design contest on smoke-free environment.

Speaking at the ceremony, journalist Duong Thanh Huong - Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Education and Times Newspaper, Deputy Head of the Organizing Committee of the contest - said that the contest is a practical activity to respond to the Party's guidelines and the State's policies and laws on preventing and combating the harmful effects of tobacco, and at the same time, concretize the task of building a safe, healthy, smoke-free school environment.

The contest aims to create a rich and quality source of teaching materials on preventing and combating the harmful effects of tobacco for widespread use in the education system. Contest lectures need to provide scientific and accurate information about the harmful effects of traditional tobacco, e-cigarettes and heated tobacco; and at the same time disseminate legal regulations, equip skills to recognize, prevent and respond to acts of enticing tobacco use.

Therefore, the contest encourages lectures not only to convey knowledge, but also to form a resolute attitude of saying "no" to tobacco among students, through approaches suitable for age psychology.

At the launching ceremony of the contest, Ms. Nguyen Thi Thu Huong - Professional Department, Tobacco Harm Prevention and Control Fund, Ministry of Health - said that, according to assessments, educational institutions are one of the environments that well implement the provisions of the Law on Tobacco Harm Prevention and Control.

Studies show that the rate of regular cigarette smokers among students has decreased significantly. From 2.5% in 2014 to 1.9% in 2022, a decrease of nearly 50%. Non-smoking behavior is gradually becoming a standard in the school environment.

However, Ms. Huong also warned about new challenges emerging because e-cigarettes and heated tobacco are creeping into schools and the lives of teenagers at an alarming rate. These products are sophisticatedly designed, advertised with misleading messages such as less harmful, safer, and even associated with modern and personal images.

In the coming time, with the support of the National Assembly, the Government and the coordination of ministries and sectors, especially the Ministry of Education and Training and relevant agencies, the Ministry of Health will continue to promote activities to prevent and combat the harmful effects of tobacco.

From July 1st onwards, the Tobacco Harm Prevention and Control Fund will be upgraded to the Disease Prevention Fund. With a new role, we expect to implement communication programs and more strong prevention and control activities in the education sector, contributing to protecting the health and future of the young generation," Ms. Nguyen Thi Thu Huong emphasized.

The 2026 lecture design contest on smoke-free environment will mark an important shift in the strategy to prevent the harmful effects of tobacco, from management and sanctions to pioneering education; from one-way communication to two-way dialogue; from providing information to changing behavior. This is a long-term battle and education is the pioneering shield.

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