On September 17, the Ministry of Health launched the first national competition “Smoke-free healthcare facilities” to promote tobacco-free medical environments and protect community health.

Speaking at the event, Deputy Minister of Health Professor Tran Van Thuan emphasized that tobacco is a leading cause of deadly illnesses such as lung cancer, cardiovascular disease, and stroke. According to the World Health Organization, tobacco claims 8 million lives worldwide every year, equivalent to 22,000 deaths daily.

In Vietnam, an estimated 84,500 deaths annually are attributed to tobacco, alongside thousands exposed to secondhand smoke. Smoking inside hospitals not only violates regulations but also directly threatens patients, healthcare workers, and the wider community, undermining the mission of healthcare institutions.

Professor Thuan stressed that smoke-free healthcare environments are a mandatory standard of ethics and professional culture. “This is a commitment to protect patient trust, safety, and health, while shaping professionalism within hospitals,” he said.

Progress after a decade of anti-smoking law

According to Dr. Ha Anh Duc, Director of the Medical Examination and Treatment Management Department and Head of the Tobacco Control Fund, many hospitals have enforced strict smoking bans, installed signage, and launched awareness campaigns.

After 10 years of implementing the Law on Prevention and Control of Tobacco Harms, exposure to secondhand smoke in healthcare facilities dropped from 23.6% in 2010 to 21.3% in 2023. The proportion of patients receiving counseling to quit smoking rose from 40.5% in 2015 to 90% in 2023.

Editor-in-Chief of Suc Khoe & Doi Song (Health & Life) Newspaper, Tran Tuan Linh, co-chair of the organizing committee, said the contest aims not only to reward compliance but also to foster a culture of smoke-free living. “Our goal is to spotlight and spread effective models where smoke-free awareness permeates daily hospital operations,” he noted.

The nationwide competition features two rounds: preliminary and final, with assessments based on quizzes, documentation, and video submissions. Online voting will allow community and patient participation. If necessary, a panel of leading health experts will conduct on-site evaluations to ensure fair recognition.

This initiative is expected to strengthen tobacco control efforts, foster professional healthcare environments, and enhance public health protection.

Phuong Thuy